Valencia, December 17, 2018 – The province of Valencia, along with the port and city of Valencia, has adapted its tourism offerings to meet the changing demands of cruise passengers. As noted in the latest article in Cruises News, the cruise sector faces the need to innovate and enrich its offerings, both to maintain the destination's appeal to repeat passengers and to adapt to the evolving profiles of cruise travelers.
In this regard, the Port of Valencia, which expects to close the year with nearly 200 cruise ship calls and around 443,500 passengers, has adapted its offerings to showcase the wide range of excursions available to cruise passengers beyond the city of Valencia. Specifically, the Cruises News , sponsored by the Port Authority of Valencia (with content contributions from the Valencia Provincial Council through Diputació Turisme València), indicates that the city is on its way to becoming a leading port for premium cruise lines – those that stay for several days – thanks to the extensive range of excursions, activities, and experiences it offers; and that several municipalities in the province are beginning to offer cultural alternatives for these types of visitors.
Changes in demand
As Cruises News, new technologies, the search for different experiences, and a rejection of overcrowding have led to a significant shift in cruise passenger demand in recent times. The new cruise passenger profile seeks independence, is more demanding, and has the ability to manage and organize their own itineraries, outside the established circuit. Above all, these new generations of cruise passengers seek to experience firsthand the unique character of the areas they visit through innovative plans and different experiences.
The riches of the province of Valencia within reach of cruise passengers
The Valencia region, with its unique locations, climate, heritage, and traditions, has capitalized on this shift in the cruise industry and adapted its offerings accordingly. Thus, in addition to the wide range of excursions and visits in the capital, a diverse array of cruise passenger itineraries has been developed, extending throughout the province and focusing on Valencian history, nature, caves, and gastronomy. These include visits, routes, and activities located in the Albufera Natural Park, the ruins of Sagunto, Xàtiva, along the Borgia routes, golf courses, the wine region of Requena, and the options offered by Gandia, which, beyond its beaches, boasts one of the finest palaces in the Valencian Community: the Ducal Palace, the former residence of the Borgia family.
Along with the tour of the main locations, Cruises News also includes information on the shipping companies that offer these excursions.
Typical offer in the city of Valencia
The city's cruise offerings are extensive, varied, and characterized by their safety. In 2017, new itineraries were added to the traditional routes through the Albufera lagoon, the historic center, and the City of Arts and Sciences. Among these are the Religious Art Route, which includes a stop at the Cathedral and other churches such as the recently restored San Nicolás; the Silk Route, which allows visitors to explore the historical legacy of this industry in Valencia with visits to the Silk Exchange (Lonja de la Seda), the recently restored Silk Museum, and the Velluters neighborhood; and the Valencia and Fallas Route, which allows tourists to delve into the main hubs of these festivals, declared a World Heritage Site.
Cruise traffic at the port of Valencia
Valenciaport expects to close the year with 197 cruise ship calls and 443,500 passengers, a figure that indicates the sector's growth is showing sustainable variation, allowing it to adapt its offerings to the pace of demand growth. In 2017, 416,938 cruise passengers were recorded.
