Costa Highlights 2026 Strategy at Global Summit in Barcelona

Costa Cruises held the second edition of the Costa Global Summit at the Centennial Pavilion of Fira Montjuic in Barcelona, drawing more than 2,500 attendees, including partners, travel advisors and invited guests.

During the event, the company outlined its strategic direction and key innovations planned for 2026. The focus centered on the evolving nature of travel, emphasizing experiential elements, personalization, technological advancement and sustainability.

The summit opened with a video address from Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation, who emphasized Costa’s importance within the broader group.

Karen Lellouche, managing director and senior partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), presented new findings on current tourism market trends.

Mario Zanetti, president of Costa Cruises, then shared the company’s long-term vision, noting how Costa is anticipating shifts in traveler expectations and aligning perfectly with the trends highlighted in the BCG research.

Zanetti said: “For almost 78 years, change and the ability to anticipate the future have been part of our DNA. Today, the challenge is to continue to create memorable travel experiences, which connect sea and land in a unique offer in the tourism landscape.”

“Costa Cruises today is a flexible and adaptive experience platform, capable of creating the right product for each audience based on the season, destination and desires of each guest,” he added.

The program also included announcements about new itineraries.

Luigi Stefanelli, vice president of Worldwide Sales for Costa Cruises, said: “The expansion of our portfolio with new itineraries is the clearest demonstration of our ability to create wonder with unique proposals in the tourism scene.”

“We continue to introduce innovations that enrich the travel experience, with a range that ranges from mini-cruises of a few days to the around the world of over 130 days,” Stefanelli noted.

Costa also unveiled updates to its culinary offerings, showcased by chefs Ángel León, Bruno Barbieri and Hélène Darroze, who introduced the latest gastronomic concept featured at the Archipelago restaurant.

To conclude the event, Giovanna Loi, vice president of marketing and direct sales, discussed The Wonder Platform, the company’s evolving approach to enhancing customer engagement.

The summit was hosted by Spanish television presenter Manel Fuentes and closed with a contemporary dance and circus performance by the SALT company, inspired by the theme “Sea and Land Wonder Experience.”