Ports & destinations

Galveston Wharves cruise business generated $1.6 billion economic impact statewide in 2019

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 08 December 2020 08 December 2020

Galveston Wharves cruise activity in 2019 had a $1.6 billion economic impact in Texas and showed growth in all areas, including jobs and spending, compared to 2018.

Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO, “These newly released economic impact numbers remind us that the eventual resumption of cruising will be essential to boosting our regional and state economic recovery.”

As it does each year, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) released its annual report on the cruise industry’s impact on the U.S. economy in November. Cruise activity was suspended in March 2020 as part of a global response to the pandemic. Pre-pandemic, the cruise industry generated $55.5 billion in economic activity in the United States, a 5.3 percent increase from 2018.

Strong economic growth in 2019

As the fourth most popular cruise port in North America and only cruise port in Texas, Galveston’s cruise activity contributes significantly to state and regional economies.

Rees said that Galveston’s cruise business showed growth in all areas when comparing 2019 to 2018:

– $1.6 billion in cruise industry direct expenditures – up 6.5 percent
– 1.1 million passenger embarkations – 14 percent higher
– 1.3 million passenger and crew onshore visits – up 11 percent
– $125 million in passenger and crew onshore spending – 9 percent higher
– 26,900 employment impact statewide – a 2.5 percent increase
– $1.8 million in wages statewide – up almost 3 percent

According to the report, Texas ranks third behind Florida and California in total direct expenditures, employment and wage impacts.

Return to cruising

While cruise operations remain suspended in the United States, the Galveston Wharves is working with cruise industry leaders and local business and community partners for the safe, sustainable resumption of cruising in 2021.

Rees said, “With thousands of jobs at stake, cruising with appropriate measures in place and with the support of health authorities will be critical to putting people back to work and fueling the broader economic recovery.”

Rees added that Galveston’s cruise business generates about 65 percent of the port’s annual revenue, allowing the port to reinvest in business growth and infrastructure improvements to generate more jobs, expand its cargo business and other economic benefits for the Galveston region.

Intercruises to cooperate with Intrepid Urban Adventures over 50 cities and ports

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 03 December 2020 03 December 2020

Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services, an experienced global business offering ground handling and port operations services to the ocean and river cruise industry, is further diversifying its shore excursion portfolio through an agreement with Intrepid Urban Adventures, an award-winning provider of tours that drive positive impact for destination communities. The initiative grows Intercruises’ product inventory in line with its commitment to implement sustainable development throughout the business.

“We have been using the recent downtime to further look at cruise guests’ needs and the latest travel trends, with a focus on developing products that have a positive impact in the destination. As part of this, we are delighted that we will be working with Intrepid Urban Adventures in over 50 locations around the world. We already have excellent local teams and products, but we can now offer even more authentic and unique shore excursions.” said Carmen Morosan, Intercruises Global Shore Excursions Manager. “Furthermore, the majority of these excursions are small group walking tours that visit alternative, lesser known venues, all of which fits well with new safety requirements as cruises return.”

Intercruises has the option to work with Intrepid Urban Adventures in more than 50 cities and ports around the world. The agreement will give Intercruises access to the extensive Intrepid Urban Adventures product portfolio of more than 1,000 experiences, with local Intercruises and Intrepid Urban Adventures teams also collaborating to develop new products specifically for the cruise industry. Furthermore, Intercruises can provide cruise industry training and work with over 1,700 Intrepid Urban Adventures guides around the world for any shore excursion operated by Intercruises.

“There is potential for the cruise industry to drive greater positive local impact for port communities. By working with our friends at Intercruises, we can help bring more customers on a journey of local stories, local people and local impact,” says Klaudija Janzelj, Managing Director of Intrepid Urban Adventures. “We’re excited to work with Intercruises to offer our unique itineraries to travelers, connecting them with local people and cultures. As the travel industry re-emerges, we believe there will be an ever-growing demand by customers for brands to focus on responsible and authentic experiences.”

Intercruises and Intrepid Urban Adventures are committed to sustainable and responsible tourism development, and enforce child protection and animal welfare policies, whilst also partnering with renown foundations that protect the natural environment.

MedCruise launches a powerful online marketing campaign showcasing cruising in the Mediterranean

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 02 December 2020 02 December 2020

MedCruise, the largest cruise port association worldwide, which mission is to promote the cruise industry in the Mediterranean, Black Sea, Adriatic Sea, Red Sea and Near Atlantic, launched today (during the International Cruise Summit 2020) a powerful online marketing campaign to run during 2021 to support, more than ever, its members and destination for the resumption of cruising.

There is nowhere else where one can cruise to so many different countries within a short period of time and to enjoy, meet, feel, taste, smell as many flavours, nature, cultures and retrace the footsteps of history as one can in the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas.

This marketing campaign is divided into five different extraordinary experiences, presented in short video clips, which one can live when cruising the Med!

Culture & history

Nowhere else can such a variety of culture and history be found in such a relatively small area, home to a thousand-year-old heritage recognized by the UNESCO. The ports of the Mediterranean are the gateway to territories that treasure the achievements of the civilizations that have preceded us. #FullyAstonishing, #FullyInspiring

Active tourism & nature

There is no better way to experience a destiny than to immerse yourself in it with all five senses. The Mediterranean and its adjacent seas offer an endless range of outdoor activities to enjoy and make the most of the voyage. While the weather from Spring to Autumn is almost invariably ideal, even in the winter months the weather is generally very mild. #FullyAlive, #FullyNatural

Gastronomy

The Mediterranean cuisine, one of the most admired in the culinary world, was proclaimed Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013 by the UNESCO, highlighted as being one of the most beneficial diets for our health and lifestyle. #FullyTasty

The purpose of the campaign is to remind cruise passengers and potential new consumers of the wonders of the Marenostrum, that MedCruise ports and destinations, are offering a five senses experience, that starts from the minute that passenger disembarks and steps immediately into an unforgettable lifetime experience.

MedCruise has historically focused its marketing strategies primarily within the industry. For the first time, the Association is willing to make a major investment in the end-consumer for the benefit of its members, and the industry as a whole.

MedCruise Director of Marketing, Mrs. Maria Cano, stated: “The current pandemic is strongly hitting the cruise industry. MedCruise believes that now, more than ever, it is time to support the cruise industry, it is time to innovate, and it is time to think outside the box. In hard times, new and positive ideas are needed. This new online marketing strategy responds to this new era. MedCruise creates, adapts, and innovates to continue giving the best to its members and to the industry”.

Port of Tarragona’s campaign shows the cruise industry how much it is missed

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 02 December 2020 02 December 2020

The Port of Tarragona has worked and continues to work to consolidate Tarragona as a regular cruise tourism destination. This is one of the strategic lines established by the Port.

A video clip of just over 25 seconds entitled 'Nothing Moves without You', promoted by the Tarragona Cruise Port Costa Daurada, shows the cruise industry how much it is missed. The absence of the cruise sector has made the Port of Tarragona’s heart grow fonder, and the video aims to convey the current feeling of emptiness when looking at the sea from Tarragona without the vitality and activity of the cruise ships and passengers that the city regularly welcomes. The video illustrates and reinforces the region’s tremendous appeal and offers the tourism sector a chance to learn more about Tarragona, a city that has positioned itself on the international cruise map and in the itineraries of major cruise lines.

Under the Tarragona Cruise Port Costa Daurada brand, created to publicise the region’s enormous potential, work is under way for future seasons filled with exciting opportunities, striving, as always, to ensure the complete safety of every visitor.

Work continues on the construction of the new Balears pier, a new space measuring 4,000 m2. The new pier will allow up to four cruise ships to dock in the Port at the same time, and is scheduled to be operational around May 2021. The pier represents an investment of 27 million euros, a place to work under optimum conditions, and a path towards future growth for the Port.

Taking advantage of the suspension of cruise activities due to COVID, the Port and other project stakeholders have also undertaken various initiatives to redirect promotional actions to highlight the region’s attractions and to ensure that Tarragona has the best possible positioning when operations in the sector start again. Despite the flurry of activity at the Port, nothing will really move until the star attraction returns: the cruise ships and their passengers.

Meetings, conferences and virtual encounters at trade fairs are a focal point for the cruise community that offer abundant opportunities for networking, procurement and innovation: an ideal forum to present Tarragona as a leading cruise destination. Tarragona’s uniqueness and distinctive attractions make it an excellent destination for Mediterranean cruise itineraries, as it is a region recognised by UNESCO for several of its distinguishing features, including the City of Tarragona and the Poblet Monastery as World Heritage Sites, human castles as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and the Ebro Delta as a Biosphere Reserve.

Santander Cruise Deluxe to sponsor International Cruise Summit in its quest to capture cruise traffic

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 25 November 2020 25 November 2020

The cruise industry will be gathering again at the International Cruise Summit on December 1 and 2, and Santander Cruise Deluxe will have a prominent presence at it as an official sponsor.

The Port, the City council of Santander and the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Tourism of the Government of Cantabria are determined to promote the arrival of cruises to the city as soon as ships start sailing again. The entire global cruise fleet has been virtually paralysed during the pandemic. However, it is slowly beginning to sail again with reinforced health and hygiene protocols including coronavirus testing before boarding for all passengers and crew members, specific assistance insurance and onboard activities adapted to social distancing and relevant sanitary measures.

When cruise ships cross the seas again, Santander wants to become the reference port on the northern point of the Iberian Peninsula. Some 200 cruise ships a year sail through the Bay of Biscay, mostly to or from the port of Southampton, on the south coast of England. Attracting this traffic to Santander is the objective for which the Santander Cruise Deluxe brand has been designed. Its presentation will take place at the International Cruise Summit.

This event, which will hold its tenth edition this year, has great international relevance, and it involves both presidents of American and European shipping companies, as well as the senior executives who make decisions on the itineraries to be planned in the upcoming years. Also registered are port agents, tour operators and other stakeholders in the industry. The sponsorship of Santander Cruise Deluxe will stand out especially in the panel of small luxury cruises, where four managers of shipping companies specialized in that niche market will participate.

Several studies show that each cruise passenger spends more than 60 Euros in the city if he visit on his own, but this amount rises to between 150 and 200 euros if he hires an excursion, which involves the tour operator hiring local buses, official guides, tickets to tourist attractions, etc. Ease of travel through Cantabria is another of the objectives that are sought by cruisers, in order to take advantage of the proximity of the tourist attractions offered by the Region. In addition, the ships themselves contribute to additional revenue for the city in the form of port fees, pilots, moorings, supplies, etc.

Over the past decade, cruise tourism has grown markedly, with a dozen new ships inaugurated every year on average, reaching 30 million passengers annually in 2019 when ten years earlier it was only 17.8 million. But this has also raised controversy regarding this form of travel through being accused of causing tourist overcrowding in cities such as Venice, and of being highly polluting. The truth is that of the 25 million tourists that Venice receives, only 1.4 million are cruise passengers. Furthermore, in the last decade international legislation on atmospheric emissions has hardened so much that shipping companies have had to develop and install gas scrubbers in their funnels that achieve reductions of 97% in sulphur oxides, as well as very significant reductions in nitrogen oxides and particles. But there are even ships already sailing using Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as fuel, which does not emit sulphur oxides, reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by 85% and CO2 emissions by 20%. Many of the cruise ships to be built in the coming years will use LNG as fuel. In this regard, it should be noted that the Port of Santander has obtained a grant of 4.3 million Euros from the European Union to design and build an LNG supply terminal that will be operational in March 2023. In addition, the berth area of the ferries will be transferred to the Maliaño Piers, leaving the Admiral Pier and the Maritime Station exclusively for cruise ships.

Not only have the polluting atmospheric emissions by cruise ships been significantly reduced, but shipping companies started a race years ago to save energy on board and emit less CO2. By 2020 many of the large shipping companies had completely removed single-use plastics on board, something that, unfortunately, the pandemic has managed to temporarily reverse.

Alongside the sponsorship of the International Cruise Summit, executives from the cruise industry around the world will be receiving in the near future a series of special newsletters highlighting the many delights that the city and the Autonomous Region of Cantabria can offer them, and the first meetings with shipping managers are already planned.