MedCruise Appoints Theodora Riga as President for 2024-2027

The new BoD of MedCruise for the 2024-2027 term. Photo source: MedCruise

Theodora Riga, the Chief Commercial Officer and Director of Strategic Communications at the Port of Thessaloniki, was elected as the new president of MedCruise – The Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports.

MedCruise is an association that supports the cruise industry by bringing together ports around the Mediterranean Sea and nearby areas. The association works to promote these ports and enhance cooperation among them to boost cruise travel in the region.

The announcement of Rigas’ appointment was made during the 65th MedCruise General Assembly held recently in Malaga, Spain, and within the framework of Seatrade Cruise Med 2024.

“I firmly believe in the value of collective action, or as we say in Greek ‘it is in unity, we stand strong’,” Riga said. “With a vision to continue the work we have done so well, we are going to upgrade our activities and achieve even more, together, while ensuring the responsible development of cruising and benefiting all Mediterranean ports and destinations.”

Riga succeeds Figen Ayan, Chief Officer at Galataport Istanbul, who will continue her involvement with the association as Honorary President and elected Board of Directors member.

“Through the collective actions of our members and synergies with other associations and institutions (UN Tourism, ESPO, AIVP, CLIA, IAPH, etc.) we partner to maximize the economic, environmental and socially sustainable development of ports, destinations and all stakeholders in the Mediterranean and adjacent seas,” Riga added.

Archive photo of Theodora Riga during a meeting with industry officials. Photo source: ThPA SA – Port of Thessaloniki

Born in 1973 in the United States of America, Riga holds an MBA in Business Administration and has held senior managerial positions in port, shipping and financial services companies over the last 20 years. She is a Board Member of a shipping company listed on the Athens Stock Exchange, as Commercial Director and as Management Consultant on Strategic Development, Sales, Marketing and Communication in the largest shipping companies in Greece, providing communication support to the Greek Shipowners Association For Passenger Ships (SEEN).

Riga is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Thessaloniki Tourism Organization and the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping representative on Greece’s National Cruise Committee.

MedCruise: New BoD

In addition to electing its new president, MedCruise also announced the new Board of Directors (BoD) for the 2024-2027 term. The elected members are:

Anne-Marie Spinosi, elected as Senior Vice President (Corsica Ports, France); Laura Cimaglia elected as Vice President (Port of Taranto, Italy); Valeria Mangiarotti (Sardinian Ports, Italy); Cristina De Gregori (Port of Genoa/Savona, Italy); Luz Marina Espiau Moreno (Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain); Joško Šupe (Port of Šibenik Authority, Croatia); Dario Barbarić (Dubrovnik Port Authority, Croatia); Maria Belkoleva (Port of Burgas, Bulgaria); Lorenzo Vera Franco (Port Authority of Motril, Spain); Genoveva Climent (Port Authority of Tarragona, Spain); Figen Ayan (Galataport Istanbul, Türkiye); Kyriaki Kampana (Heraklion Port Authority, Greece); Gilson Cruz (Ports of Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde); and Angelos Vlachos (Kavala Port Authority, Greece).