Theodora Riga (pictured) has been elected as MedCruise’s new President.
She is the CCO and Director of Strategic Communications at the Port of Thessaloniki.
Riga was elected during the 65th MedCruise General Assembly held in Malaga, Spain, 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’”, she 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.
“Through the collective actions of our members and synergies with other associations and institutions (UNTWO, ESPO, AIVP, CLIA, IAPH, etc), we partner to maximise the economic, environmental and socially sustainable development of ports, destinations and all stakeholders in the Mediterranean and adjacent seas,” Riga added.
In addition to electing its new President, MedCruise also announced a new Board for 2024/2027. The elected members were:
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) and Angelos Vlachos (Kavala Port Authority, Greece).
Riga succeeds Figen Ayan, Galataport Istanbul CEO, who will continue her involvement with the Association as Honorary President and elected Board member.
US born 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 member of the Greek National Cruise Committee and 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 Association of Passenger Shipping Companies.
Riga is also a Member of the Board of Thessaloniki Tourism Organisation and the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping representative on the Hellenic Government’s National Cruise Committee.
