Skuma Fam Trip narrates cruise destination Taranto to international cruise industry operators
PORT OF TARANTO, 20 APRIL 2022 - The Skuma Fam Trip, organised by the Port Network Authority of the Ionian Sea and designed for the international cruise industry professionals came to an end on 11 April.
The name of the educational tour conveys the bond between the port-city of Taranto and the sea recalling “Skuma” the mermaid, portrayed by sculptor Francesco Trani in his artwork placed on the cliff of the Harbour Master’s Office Dock in Mar Grande and recently restored with the contribution of the Port Network Authority of the Ionian Sea.
Cruise lines, tour operators, journalists and cruise bloggers have been engaged in a four-day tailor made programme built around guided tours, experiences and events with the aim to promote the competitiveness of Taranto and the Ionian seaport for cruise tourism.
The Port was presented as a cruise port of excellence thanks to its state-of-the-art infrastructure, including the recently launched East Side of the San Cataldo Pier overlooking the city and complementing the berth offer dedicated to small, medium and large-sized ships. The key success factor for the cruise port is the partnership with the Taranto Cruise Port, part of the international network of Global Ports Holding, the managing company which has been operating the cruise terminal since 2021 thanks to its solid professional competence.
During the fam trip the attendees had the opportunity to discover the ongoing projects included in the Port-City connection regeneration strategy promoted by the Port Network Authority of the Ionian Sea, in cooperation with the Municipal Administration. The aim of the strategy is to completely regenerate the port waterfront area for the benefit of both citizens and sea travellers while creating a centre of attraction for port culture thanks to the Open Port Exhibition Center.
The fam trip took place during BTM Puglia (Taranto, 6-8 April 2022), the international exhibition dedicated to the regional tourism which this year, for the first time ever, has chosen Taranto as its venue.
The Port Network Authority of the Ionian Sea also participated as exhibitor and the synergy with the exhibition was key to display the territory as a growing integrated system offering dynamism and multiple services to national and international tourism.
The fam trip proceeded with a vast programme dedicated to discovering the historical, cultural, natural and food&wine beauties of the Ionian area, with the goal to present the wide range of opportunities that the area has to offer and to develop itineraries designed for a mid-to-high target of cruise passengers.
The educational trip included – among other things - a guided tour to the National Archaeological Museum of Taranto and to the Aragonese Castle, several stopovers in Itria Valley, a tour through the Ceramics Quarter in Grottaglie, local olive oil and wine tasting, a tour through the Old Town and the seaway canal, mini cooking shows and a visit to the beaches of the Ionian coast.
Relying on final impressions, the operators showed great interest in the cruise port and in the range of cultural, artistic, naturalistic, experiential and - last but not least - food&wine offers of Taranto and the local area.
The participant cruise bloggers Sensational Cruises and Liveboat narrated the fam trip live on their Instagram and Facebook pages. The international magazine Cruise and Ferry produced an online article, which will be followed by a thorough piece in the next paper issue detailing each tour involved
