Glasgow will be the host city for the 2013 conference and agm of Port du Monde. This was announced in the port city of Cadiz in the province of Andalucía, which played host to this year’s annual meeting of Si tous les ports du Monde. The International Summer School will take place this year in Saint-Malo/Rennes from 12th – 21st July.
Cadiz oozes history and, indeed, is the oldest city in the west, dating back more than 3,000 years, having been first settled by the Phoenicians and then by the Romans, reports Michael Flood. However, its heyday was in the 18th century when the city monopolised overseas trade and set up important trading links with the United States of America, and these remain to this day. The very first Spanish constitution was approved here in March 1812.
Tourism has also assumed a major economic role in the life of the modern city. With 3,000 hours of sunshine spread over 300 days, 138 kilometres of beaches and 22 golf courses, together with 45,498 hotel beds and campsite capacity for 18,000, the tourism offering is substantial.
Delegates were able to experience some of these in between a busy working agenda. The highlight was a visit to the world-famous Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, where they watched the performance of its dancing horse show – Como Balianlos Caballos Andaluces.
Visits were also made to the famous producers of sherry and wines, together with a boat trip around the extensive marine activities of the Port of Cadiz.
The conference began with a presentation on ‘Cadiz and its Economy’ by representatives of various local bodies. This was followed by a session on ‘Culture and Economy’ throughout the network by Loic Fremont, Executive Vice-President, and Michel Menny, Vice-President in charge of economic matters.
This was followed by different members of the network outlining common perspectives in the short to long term. The final discussion was an exchange of views on the network in the world of today.
The agm was held in the historic building that is the seat of the local Dipitacion. It was chaired by the outgoing chairperson, Jose Loaiza Garcia, who is the President of the Diputacion Provincial for Cadiz. The agenda concluded with the inauguration of the incoming Chair (in absentia) Dominique Vlasto, MEP and Deputy Mayor of Marseille. The ceremony of handing over the flag then took place.
