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Sharing of value
with the local community
how, with coaching of local people in those
destinations where there are no dedicated
hospitality training centers. At the same
time, the continuous focus on safety issues
in and around cruise terminals and ports
also helps improve safety standards in the
local area generally.
The sharing of know-how with the local
community equates to the transfer of
value and helps raise awareness of the
area’s cultural heritage and – above
all – of the need to preserve heritage
assets and manage them correctly
for the future. Cooperation with local
communities is therefore an important
aspect and one that helps ensure that
the hospitality provided is in line with
cruisers’ expectations; at the same time it
also helps them appreciate more not only
the beauty of a place but also its cultural
roots. To facilitate this process, Costa
Cruises holds special training sessions for
crew members while guests going ashore
are briefed beforehand in order to avoid
misunderstanding and possible distorted
perception of a destination; the aim is to
ensure sensitization to the importance
of showing respect for local cultures and
traditions.
The introductionof new itineraries and the
addition of new stopovers to the brochure
provide great stimulus for growth and
development of local communities,
bringing significant economic and social
benefits.
The initial impact stems from the
investments often required to upgrade
terminal areas and facilitate both the
transit of cruise passengers and transport
links to places of interest within reach of
the ports. In addition to the employment
opportunities associated with the
management of these port facilities is
the development of commercial and
entrepreneurial activities involved in the
supply chain, particularly supplies of fresh
food and non-durable consumer goods, as
well as transport and associated services
related to shore tours.
Costa Cruises’ presence and its ongoing
partnerships with local stakeholders
provide an opportunity for capacity
building in the field of tourism by means
of the development of hospitality facilities
and new forms of safety management for
cruisers in transit. This is done through
the training of new skills in situ and the
transfer of competency and specific know-