Ports & destinations

Spanish ports enjoyed 9.7% rise in cruise passenger numbers 2018

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 23 April 2019 23 April 2019

Ports in Spain enjoyed a 9.66% increase in the number of cruise passengers in 2018 and the total figure reached 10.18 million, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport said in a statement.

The cruise industry employs about 31,200 people in the country and it generated €1.48 billion in revenue, the ministry said. More than 3.0 million passengers used a Spanish port on a turnaround, while 90.8% of cruise all passengers used ports in the Mediterranean coast or the Canary islands.

“These data place some Spanish ports, such as Barcelona or the Balearic Islands, as leaders of European rankings, and they even hold strong positions in the global context. In addition, they make Spain the second most visited country in the European continent, second only to Italy,” the ministry said.

“The ports of the Mediterranean Façade (Alicante, Almería, Balearic Islands, Barcelona, Cartagena, Castellón, Ceuta, Malaga, Melilla, Motril, Tarragona and Valencia) concentrated the bulk of cruise passengers 6,888,298 passengers (67.7%), this is the area that has grown the most (+11.35%) and where the most important ports in the country are located, Barcelona with more than 3 million cruise passengers, and the Balearic Islands with 2.4 million,” the ministry pointed out.

The year 2019 has begun with very promising figures for Spanish ports since the 579,572 passengers counted in the month of January have entailed an increase of 8.7% compared to the same month last year.

 

 

 

Costa Cruises to increase calls in Valletta Cruise Port

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 04 April 2019 04 April 2019

Costa Cruises will be increasing its number of calls to Valletta in 2020.

A press conference was held aboard the Costa Fascinosa to launch the Malta-to-Malta cruises aboard Costa Cruises’ ships, with 32 departures operated from late March to early November 2020.

Costa Cruises’ Sales and Marketing Director, Alessandro Bottaro showcased the growth of the cruise line along its 71-year history, also highlighting the growth plans of the cruise industry until 2027.

Michael Abele, Group Commercial Director of Orange Cruises gave detailed information about the itinerary of the Malta-to-Malta cruises of both 2019 and 2020.

Costa Cruises is an esteemed caller to Valletta bringing over 474,000 passenger movements on circa 200 calls between 2014 and 2018. Stephen Xuereb, CEO of Valletta Cruise Port and COO of Global Ports Holding, commented, “We are pleased that after an absence of four years, Costa will be re-introducing calls in Q3 of 2020. This means that in 2020, we will be welcoming circa 110,000 passenger movements aboard a total of 37 calls as compared to 38,000 passenger movements aboard 18 calls in 2019”.

The Hon. Konrad Mizzi, Minister for Tourism highlighted that the cruise industry positively impacts the local economy, being comprised of a cluster of activities and subsectors. More than 800,000 passenger movements are expected be hosted by Valletta Cruise Port in 2019. Furthermore, he highlighted that the Ministry together with the participation of stakeholders is actively working on a “Vision 2025”, a new strategy for the tourism industry including the cruise sector, with this vision being finalised by end of year.

British ports recorded 16% rise on cruise passenger count 2018

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 10 April 2019 10 April 2019

Figures released by Cruise Britain, the organisatuion that promotes the country to the cruise industry, show that the number of cruise passengers visiting Britain increase by 16% to 1.64 million in 2018, marking 11^thconsecutive year of an increase.

Cruise passengers arrived through 68 cruise ports from Kirkwall in the north to Jersey in the English Channel and stepped ashore for the day from 139 individual ships, with many ships calling on multiple occasions. The number of different cruise lines welcomed held steady at 56 lines, whose ships visited UK ports as diverse as Portland and Poole, Fishguard and Fowey, Tower Bridge (London) and Tyne.  

Round Britain and Irish Sea cruises continue to develop as a perfect way of exploring Britain's diversity of coasts, castles, cities and countryside with an evolving range of activities and attractions ashore. The short sailing distances between Britain's shores and adjoining countries add to the itinerary possibilities and enhance the passenger and cruise line offering.

‘‘1.642million is a fantastic figure to reach and the strength of the growth trend is testament to the increasing popularity of Britain as a cruise destination. Significant growth can be seen for ports right across the UK, from Dover to Orkney and Holyhead to London. It just four years since we broke the magic million mark and to sail past the 1.5million milestone so quickly is a remarkable growth trajectory and one we are doing everything to support, especially in this, our 10^th year. All our members work tirelessly to develop and support the British cruise industry, and to provide cruise lines and their guests with a seamless product and world-class service,’’ commented James Stangroom, Chair of Cruise Britain.  

‘’Britain really can offer a port for every cruise ship currently sailing - from expedition ships to mid-range or boutique vessels up to the largest afloat. 2018 saw 1.2million passengers begin their cruise at a British port which is a rise of 9% over 2017. A significant number of the UK’s ports handle both day calls and embarkations which increases the opportunity to grow the nation’s cruise business,’’ added Stangroom. “As the global cruise market continues its immense growth trend, we are confident that Britain's appeal as a cruise destination will continue to ride the crest of the wave’’

Cruise the Saint Lawrence promotes winter cruising

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 14 March 2019 14 March 2019

In response to a demonstrated interest in winter cruising by international cruise industry organizers, Cruise the Saint Lawrence last week hosted a visit for three cruise company representatives seeking to experience first-hand the wonders of winter in ports of call across Québec. With smaller expedition vessels currently under construction at shipyards around the world, cruise lines are intent upon tapping into the growing pool of cruise aficionados with a penchant for off-season explorer tours.

Trends in travel point to a marked interest in cruise destinations such as the Arctic or Antarctic viewed as ripe with the promise of truly unique experiences. Adventure cruise enthusiasts indeed figure among those travellers who ascribe a certain exoticism to Québec’s brand of Nordic experience. Cruise the Saint Lawrence must therefore spearhead the drive to raise the profile of our myriad outdoor activities, our unique Nordic attributes and our vibrant urban centres with offerings such as out-of-the-ordinary ice fishing expeditions and sugaring off excursions.

During this second winter familiarization tour, participants travelled to Montréal, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Gaspé and Îles de la Madeleine. Representatives from each of the Saint Lawrence member ports of call gathered at Gaspé to present the specifics of their individual locations and meet with cruise company representatives. Tour activities included baby seal watching, dog sledding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, a visit to a cabane à sucre, and cultural discoveries in our urban ports of Québec, Trois-Rivières and Montréal.

Navigating the Saint Lawrence, Saguenay Fjord and Gulf of Saint Lawrence in winter can present challenges for cruise operators. Officials from Transport Canada, local port administrations, Canadian Coast Guard, Laurentian Pilotage Authority and other relevant authorities took part in an information session during which they detailed the technical requirements and services available to ensure ship and passenger safety.

Upon conclusion of the tour, guest cruise company representatives set about analysing and plotting possible cruise itineraries. Member ports of call and all organizations involved will naturally have to adapt offerings to take proper advantage of emerging opportunities.

Once again this year, event partner Chlorophylle, a Québec-based manufacturer of upmarket outdoor gear, outfitted tour participants.

Cruise the Saint Lawrence is a sectoral organization which groups together the nine ports of call located along the shores of the Saint Lawrence River. The mission of the organization is to grow cruise market activities in Québec and across Destination Canada New England through the provision of marketing and development services to members. Cruise the Saint Lawrence enjoys the support of partners Tourism Québec, Québec Tourism Industry Alliance and Industry, Science and Economic Development Canada.