All records will be broken with 8.1 million cruise passengers arriving at ports of general interest.
Intense campaign by the ports to "de-seasonalize" tourism traditionally linked to the weather.
The group of state-owned ports of general interest, comprising 46 ports managed by 28 Port Authorities and coordinated by State Ports, are present at FITUR, the leading tourism trade fair. Based on still provisional data, the 2014 fiscal year will be very similar to the previous year, with around 7.6 million cruise passengers, the second-highest figure on record, behind the 8 million reached in 2011.
Industry experts agree that cruise tourism will continue to grow in the coming years, as evidenced by the forecasts made by Spanish ports for 2015, which point to a new record, potentially exceeding 8.1 million cruise passengers. The strategies to achieve this goal are numerous, but they all involve bringing together all stakeholders (local councils, tourist offices, regional governments, etc.) in the promotion of their respective destinations, with offerings that prioritize cultural, gastronomic, and leisure tourism. Furthermore, and as a new development, the aim is to extend this offering to any time of year, thus making this type of tourism, traditionally linked to weather conditions, available year-round.
The “Blue Carpet” is rolled out from our ports throughout Spain
For the past two years, Puertos del Estado (Spanish State Ports Authority) has been promoting cruise tourism in Spanish ports under the slogan "BLUE CARPET, step into Spain on a blue carpet," showcasing the offerings of Spanish ports at major industry trade fairs worldwide. The campaign is based on the concept that ports transport you from the sea to any destination in Spain, providing access to a unique tourism experience.
Furthermore, at this edition of FITUR, we are specifically promoting recreational boating: “Enjoy Spain’s Marinas, right to the heart of town”, highlighting the full integration of our marinas into the cities.
