Page 4 - SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2016
P. 4

Letter to the stakeholders



                                                                                                                                                It is with great pride and satisfaction that I present this new edition of Costa Cruises’
                                                                                                                                                Sustainability Report. The Report is the annual statement to our stakeholders of Costa’s
                                                                                                                                                ongoing commitment to continuing on the route towards an increasingly sustainable
                                                                                                                                                future.
                                                                                                                                                The coordinates of this route are the investments we have made in new ships and product
                                                                                                                                                innovation, the pursuit of state-of-the-art solutions enabling a substantial reduction in our
                                                                                                                                                environmental footprint and our sense of responsibility towards everyone who makes it
                                                                                                                                                possible to move more and more people, promoting cultural exchange around the world.
                                                                                                                                                We are in no doubt that we are heading towards our vital strategic objective of combining
                                                                                                                                                business growth and sustainability.

                                                                                                                                                At the same time we are aware that we are forerunners of a distinctively modern model
                                                                                                                                                of development, operating on a global scale, which is intrinsically capable of creating
                                                                                                                                                value for the Company and for all the players in the supply chain, generating far-reaching
                                                                                                                                                positive effects. By pursuing this market strategy we are increasingly becoming citizens
                                                                                                                                                of the world, broadening our horizons, bringing together peoples and cultures, creating
                                                                                                                                                employment opportunities and – above all – helping to stimulate growth of local economies
                                                                                                                                                and communities. Part and parcel of our approach is working with local stakeholders on
                                                                                                                                                the sustainable capitalization of their resources and jointly designing a plan for long-term
                                                                                                                                                development. In 2016 we were particularly active in this respect; our new itineraries in
                                                                                                                                                the Indian Ocean are just one example of the way we create the right synergies with local
                                                                                                                                                stakeholders and of the scale of the positive impact that can be generated by a carefully
                                                                                                                                                structured path to growth.

                                                                                                                                                2017 is the International Year of Sustainable Tourism, a unique opportunity to reiterate
                                                                                                                                                the key role played by the cruise industry in fostering a local community’s artistic, cultural
                                                                                                                                                and natural heritage. From a broader perspective, the potential of a growth industry like
                                                                                                                                                this can play a very significant part in the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable
                                                                                                                                                Development Goals; the UN’s 2030 Agenda is a plan of action for people, planet and
                                                                                                                                                prosperity designed to improve the lives of millions worldwide by guaranteeing a healthy
                                                                                                                                                environment and reducing inequality.

                                                                                                                                                Ahead of the introduction of ships based on a new design concept ensuring a unique
                                                                                                                                                cruise experience for our guests, we will continue to pursue challenging objectives in
                                                                                                                                                accordance with our vision of sustainable development on a global level.


                                                                                                                                                Neil Palomba
                                                                                                                                                President
                                                                                                                                                Costa Cruises
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