Costa Cruises has signed an agreement to become Gold Sponsor of the Italian Pavilion at Expo Dubai 2020.
The agreement between Costa Cruises and the Commissioner for Italy at Expo Dubai 2020 is further step in the restart of Costa Cruises, and more generally in the overall recovery of tourism. It will also allow to present Italy and its wonders to an Italian and international audience, promoting the values of sustainable development expressed by the Italy Pavilion at Expo Dubai.
The beauty of Italy, composed of landscapes, flavors, atmospheres, a synthesis of creativity, sustainability, and multi-sectoral skills, is at the heart of the project for Italy’s participation in the next Universal Exposition.
In the case of Costa Cruises, it is about Italian beauty travelling on the sea. For over 70 years, Costa ships have been Italy’s ambassadors around the world, including the Costa Smeralda, the flagship that stands out for its “made in Italy” furnishings, for being the only ship to have an authentic museum dedicated to Italian design, and for offering a vacation experience based on Italian hospitality and cuisine.
Commitment to sustainability
Costa Cruises is also a symbol of commitment to sustainability, core value of the Italy Pavilion at Expo Dubai, which will open its doors on 1 October 2021.
In line with the goals of the UN’s 2030 Agenda, the company has paved the way for sustainable innovation for the entire cruise sector, being the first in the world to introduce new technologies to reduce the environmental impact of its fleet. One example is the use, on board Costa Smeralda, of liquefied natural gas, the most advanced technology in the world in the maritime sector to reduce emissions.
The company is also starting to test batteries and fuel cells to reach the goal of “zero emissions” cruises overtime. The environmental aspect is integrated into a broader plan of sustainability, which aims to promote tourism’s models that are increasingly inclusive and attentive to the needs of local areas and communities, leading guests to discover destinations of great cultural value, but still less known, such as the small villages of Italy, with programs to preserve their beauty and local traditions, also through the activities of the Costa Cruises Foundation.
To allow its Italian and international guests to experience the Expo and visit the Italy Pavilion, over the next winter, from December 17, 2021 until mid-March 2022, Costa will position its new ship Costa Firenze in the Arabian Gulf. The vessel was built by Fincantieri in Marghera and dedicated to the Florentine Renaissance. The week-long cruises will visit the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Oman, with calls at Abu Dhabi, Doha, Muscat and a multi-day long stop in Dubai. Specific packages to allow visits to the Italy Pavilion and the Expo will be made available for guests to offer the best possible experience.