The growth of cruise tourism activity in Europe has been capitalized primarily by regions with more tradition in the sector and which present a consolidated product, such as the Baltic and Mediterranean. Despite the strong competition in these markets, with its unique features, the AA has a relatively competitive position in global cruise tourism.The strategic location, at cruise routes crossroads, between northern and southern Europe, and between the Caribbean and Europe, the large number of ports along the coastline, which offer a wide variety of destinations, and the rich cultural and environmental heritage of maritime port cities and surrounding regions, give the AA a growing potential that should be promoted.CruiseAtlanticEurope (CAE) is a transnational cooperation project, an initiative of a group of ports on the Atlantic seaboard - Lisbon, Leixões, La Coruna, Bilbao, Dover, Lorient and Cork - and aims to promote cruise tourism in the AA. Its main objective is to strengthen the position of the Atlantic Coast in European cruise tourism through the creation and promotion of new tourism products, globally recognized by ship-owners and cruise companies, which, through the action of a network of ports, cities and regions, may stimulate Atlantic cultural and identity economic dimensions.To achieve these objectives, the project has established a work plan that consists in organising itineraries at ports of call, based on adding value to natural and cultural resources, whichcontribute to give a distinct identity in the framework of international cruise tourism markets, the development of a communication and marketing plan in order to establish a strategy to promote cruise tourism in the AA and the production of advertising and promotional materials as well as promotional activities. Achievements: With cruise visitors in 2013 set to exceed 1.25 million, all the member ports of Cruise Atlantic Europe have experienced growth as cruise traffic in the region continues to increase.Cruise Atlantic Europe comprises eight ports in five countries of the Atlantic front (Lisbon, Porto (Leixões), A Coruña, Bilbao, Brest, St Malo, Dover and Cork). Helena Fernandes from the Port Authority of Leixões said: “It comes as no surprise that cruise visitors are on the rise as switched on cruise operators have realised that operating in the Atlantic Europe region provides some incredible incentives. Operating cruises to this selection of ports can both save money in terms of fuel costs and lower port charges but also provides an opportunity to increase revenue by promoting profitable shore excursions. It’s a win-win situation and we would encourage all cruise operators to take advantage of the region.”Growth has been accelerated by major investment in new cruise terminals at Bilbao and A Coruña plus new cruise ship berths at Porto (Leixões), Lisbon and St Malo. Now in addition to the strong appeal of the destinations to cruise customers, the new cruise ship facilities make the region more accessible to some of the biggest ships in the industry.Fernandes adds: “Our success proves that Atlantic Europe is becoming more than just an option for cruise operators when ships are re-positioning to the Mediterranean. There are increasing opportunities for short cruises in the region with the added appeal of embarkation from multiple markets.”Further information about Cruise Atlantic Europe and its destinations can be found at: www.cruiseatlanticeurope.com