The CLIA European Summit 2026 in Madeira
From February 23 to 26, 2026, the city of Funchal, on the Portuguese island of Madeira, hosted the CLIA European Summit 2026, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) event dedicated to policies and the development of the European cruise industry.
Organized in collaboration with the Regional Government of Madeira and the Port Administration of the Autonomous Region of Madeira (APRAM), the event brought together cruise line executives, institutional representatives, and tourism and maritime stakeholders from across Europe, reaffirming the island’s strategic role as a bridge between Europe and the Atlantic Ocean.
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The Summit provided an important opportunity to discuss regional development, sustainability, and innovation at a time of significant growth for the cruise industry in the Atlantic region. Bud Darr, President and CEO of CLIA, emphasized Madeira’s importance as a strategic hub and highlighted the cruise sector’s ability to contribute to local development, European economic and tourism objectives, and sustainability priorities. According to Darr, the event offered a crucial platform to align policies, collaborations, and partnerships with key industry players across Europe and the Atlantic region.
The President of the Regional Government of Madeira, Miguel Albuquerque, noted that the event confirmed the region’s strategic role as a meeting point between Europe and the Atlantic and recognized the dynamism of the local blue economy. Albuquerque highlighted Madeira’s capacity to host international events with excellence and hospitality, describing the Summit as a major milestone in strengthening the island’s position within the international cruise landscape and demonstrating the region’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.
Paula Cabaço, President of APRAM, underlined that Madeira’s selection as the Summit host reflected recognition of the work carried out in recent years to enhance the island’s ports and consolidate their role within the European cruise sector. Cabaço emphasized that the event offered a unique opportunity to showcase to international cruise industry leaders the excellence of Madeira’s ports, hotel facilities, and tourism offerings, while also reinforcing the island’s image as a territory committed to innovation and sustainability.
The CLIA European Summit 2026 came at a moment of notable achievements for Madeira in the cruise sector. In 2024, the region welcomed over 728,000 passengers and 272,000 crew members, representing year-on-year increases of 16.7% and 12.3%, respectively. The sector generated a direct economic impact of €61.4 million, confirming Madeira’s growing importance as a port in the Atlantic and its positive contribution to regional development.
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The Summit also highlighted the central role of the Portuguese port network—from the mainland, including Lisbon and Leixões, to the islands of Madeira and the Azores, in supporting European cruise connectivity. The Cruise Atlantic Islands initiative, involving Madeira, the Azores, the Canary Islands, and Cape Verde, promoted regional cooperation to ensure the long-term sustainability of cruise tourism across the Atlantic corridor.
During the Summit, participants had the opportunity to delve into strategic and policy issues, engage with Europe’s leading industry stakeholders, and discuss the challenges and opportunities related to sustainable growth, resilience, and inclusivity in the cruise sector. The event also provided a platform to showcase local excellence, highlighting Madeira’s hospitality, port quality, and tourism infrastructure.
The CLIA European Summit 2026 reinforced Madeira’s position as a strategic hub for European cruise tourism, confirming the island as a key platform for political dialogue, regional cooperation, and sustainability promotion. With a program full of meetings, workshops, and networking opportunities, this year’s edition offered a unique chance to strengthen relationships, attract investment, and contribute to the growth of the cruise sector in the Atlantic, underlining Madeira’s crucial role in the future of European cruising.
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