The port of A Coruña continues to break records and in a decade has quadrupled its number of cruise passengers.
Article from CruisesNews magazine
The Port of A Coruña continues to advance in its climb undertaken less than a decade ago, to become, on its own merits, one of the great Atlantic destinations in the cruise market.
In 2009, passenger numbers barely reached 54,000, and everything pointed to very modest prospects in a region dominated by ports with a longer history in the sector. But nothing could be further from the truth. Statistics have quadrupled, and the Port of A Coruña has become the leader of the Cantabrian-Atlantic route, with the highest number not only of port calls but also of passengers, from Lisbon to France.
184,000 cruise passengers in 2018 and 130 planned dockings in 2019.
Last year saw a record high of over 184,000 passengers. After a transitional year, in which the city has maintained its leading position, albeit without reaching those figures, a new record is expected next year. The 2019 schedule includes 130 cruise ship calls at the Port of A Coruña, which boasts a transatlantic pier located just steps from the city's historic and commercial center. These cruise ships, some of which are flagship vessels for their respective shipping lines, will carry approximately 190,000 passengers and 65,000 crew members, bringing a total of 255,000 visitors to the city.
The Port Authority of A Coruña has made a strong commitment to this sector due to its enormous economic impact on one of Galicia's major tourist cities. It is estimated that next year the return for the city will be €15 million, including port fees and charges, spending by passengers and crew, as well as payments to tour operators, transport companies, and suppliers. The benefit is undeniable, both economically and in terms of promoting the city's image, given that the vast majority of passengers are very loyal to the product, are strong advocates for destinations, and have a medium-to-high purchasing power.
It will begin receiving hybrid or LNG-powered ships, with very low emissions.
Therefore, large crowds are expected, with tourists once again flooding the streets of A Coruña outside of its peak summer season, which will also contribute to reducing the seasonality of tourism. In fact, a total of 24 ship calls are scheduled, with a capacity for more than 3,000 passengers, and the calendar includes 22 days of double or multiple dockings, including two triple and one quadruple. The peak seasons will be spring and autumn, with 23 dockings and 35,000 passengers expected in May and 21 calls and 32,000 cruise passengers in October.
Shipping Companies and Passenger Origins
The Port of A Coruña's clients in this sector include the world's leading shipping companies, which demonstrate a high level of loyalty to the A Coruña destination. These include P&O Cruises, with 18 scheduled calls for 2019; Fred Olsen with 17; Aida with 13; MSC Cruises and TUI Cruises with 9 each; and Royal Caribbean with 7. Other iconic companies such as Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Saga Cruises, Costa Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd, Cunard, and Ponant will also be returning with their ships.
Not only will the regulars from the most loyal fleets to the Port of A Coruña dock at its piers, but six newly launched vessels will also be calling, having chosen this destination for their inaugural voyages. In addition, three other cruise ships will be making their first appearance at the Transatlantic Pier, demonstrating the destination's appeal for new Atlantic routes. Furthermore, the increased presence of next-generation vessels with hybrid technology (electric propulsion and LNG use), which reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, is noteworthy. More special calls are also expected, including visits from "Ultra Luxury" category ships and exploration and adventure cruises with itineraries to unique destinations.
2019 Calendar: It includes 130 dockings at the Port of A Coruña. 190,000 passengers will travel, and there will be 22 days of double or multiple dockings.
Regarding passenger profiles, British and German tourists are the most numerous, although there is also a significant influx of visitors from other European countries such as Ireland, Austria, France, and the Netherlands. A notable presence of Americans, Canadians, Australians, and Brazilians is also observed. The majority of visitors are English-speaking and typically explore the city by strolling through the La Marina and Parrote area, the Old Town, María Pita Square, and its surroundings. They are generally interested in the local cuisine and shopping in small businesses and leave with a very positive impression of the city, which they choose to visit in over 85% of cases, with only a small percentage opting for excursions to other locations.
€15 million: return that is calculated for the city in 2019.
