Growing demand for cruising will require a 45% rise in crew numbers by 2005 with two-thirds of the 41,500 extra jobs filled by the hotel department. The prediction comes in a new report by UK analyst Peter Wild, managing director of G P Wild International, whose industry overview launches the inaugural Maritime Hotel Conference at Cruise+Ferry 2001 at London’s Olympia complex from May 8-10. The hotel conference and a maritime hotel pavilion mark a major expansion of this biennial exhibition and conference which has emerged as the industry’s prime technical forum over eight previous events.

The parallel Cruise+Ferry trade and technical conference will focus on market developments, ship design, propulsion, safety, environmental policy and operations management under the general theme of innovative thinking to drive the business forward.P&O Ferries chairman Graeme Dunlop will examine the European ferry industry’s response to issues such as the loss of duty-free revenue and fixed link competition.

Other speakers include Maurizio Cergol, chief cruise vessel designer at Italy’s Fincantieri, on the role of naval architects in promoting new concepts; leading interiors consultant John McNeece on maximising the designer’s flair; and Brigadier A H Parritt of International Maritime Security on safeguards against stowaways, hijacking, terrorism and piracy.

The conferences are expected to attract 400 delegates in addition to a record 4,000 exhibition visitors. The exhibition will showcase more than 400 companies from 15 countries including 11 national pavilions and the new maritime hotel pavilion.