Dubrovnik Presented at SeaTrade Med Leading Mediterranean Cruise Industry Event

The Port Authority of Dubrovnik actively participated in Seatrade Cruise Med 2026 in Las Palmas, one of the most important international events for the cruise industry, where discussions focused on sustainable destination development, new technologies and the future of cruise tourism. Together with the Port Authorities of Zadar, Šibenik and Split, Dubrovnik was represented at the Croatian Cruise Ports stand.

Held on 16 and 17 September, this year’s event brought together more than 2,000 participants from 90 countries, over 220 exhibitors and representatives of around 60 cruise lines, with approximately 25 expert sessions and 90 speakers. Key topics included sustainability, responsible destination management, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and cooperation between ports, destinations and cruise lines.

For the Port Authority of Dubrovnik, participation in this prestigious event provided an important opportunity to exchange experiences with international partners, present Dubrovnik’s approach to cruise traffic management and follow trends relevant to the further development of the destination.

Jelka Tepšić, Assistant Director of the Port Authority of Dubrovnik, participated in two panels. In her capacity as an Advisor to the Mayor of Dubrovnik, she also represented the City of Dubrovnik on the panel “Responsible Destination Stewardship”, which addressed the need for earlier planning and closer cooperation between governments, destinations, ports and cruise lines, as well as the importance of aligning cruise tourism growth with the priorities of local communities. The second panel, “Smarter Destinations: Can Technology Help Manage Destination Growth?”, focused on the role of technology in managing the growth of tourism and cruise destinations.

Dario Barbarić, representative of the Port Authority of Dubrovnik and member of the MedCruise Board of Directors, participated in the panel “Practical AI in Ports: Cutting Through the Hype”, which explored the practical applications of artificial intelligence in ports. Discussion dedicated to the potential practical applications of artificial intelligence in ports, covering areas where AI is already delivering real, practical value—including examples of applications yielding concrete results—and the prerequisites ports must meet for the effective use of artificial intelligence.

On 18 September, Jelka Tepšić and Dario Barbarić also attended the CLIA Ports & Destinations Dialogue, a meeting focused on dialogue between ports and the cruise industry and on key issues shaping the future development of the sector.

Dubrovnik also gained additional international visibility through its nomination for the Seatrade Cruise Awards 2026 – Destination of the Year, where it was selected as one of three finalists.

Through its participation in Seatrade Cruise Med and the CLIA Ports & Destinations Dialogue, the Port Authority of Dubrovnik continues to actively contribute to the international dialogue on the sustainable and responsible development of the cruise industry, while promoting Dubrovnik as a destination committed to cooperation, innovation and responsible management.