The Port of Cartagena is present at the International Tourism Fair 2021 (FITUR), which is being held from May 19 to Friday 21 in Madrid, to promote the port as a safe cruise tourism destination and with the confirmation of two national cruise ship calls in June and July in Cartagena.
The president of the APC, Yolanda Muñoz, has stated that “we are presenting ourselves at FITUR with our homework done as a safe and responsible destination and with the announcement of two national cruise ship calls on June 19 and July 3, which once again put Cartagena on the cruise map, as one of the top destinations in Spain.”.
The first confirmed cruise will stop in Cartagena on June 19, and the second, on July 3, via the 'Mein Schiff 2' ship of the TUI shipping company, which will have Palma de Mallorca as the port of embarkation and disembarkation on a route through Spanish ports of the Mediterranean that represent the restart of cruise tourism in the Peninsula.
“This is great news that motivates us to continue working to recover the number of cruise passengers who were unable to dock in Cartagena due to the pandemic, once the Ministry authorizes the arrival of international cruises. These are firm steps towards a reactivation that generates wealth and opportunities as a gateway for tourism in the Region, and where we are working with hoteliers and merchants to be a safe destination, hand in hand with the City Council and the Regional Government.”.
At FITUR, the Port of Cartagena is present and has a full business agenda with tour operators and shipping companies to promote Cartagena as a historical and cultural destination, a nature and adventure destination, and a gastronomic destination within the Region of Murcia's offering as the Spanish Capital of Gastronomy 2021. "We offer a diverse range of services and safe facilities with experiences that make choosing the Port of Cartagena more attractive and that guarantee safety against the virus as they are outdoor activities," explained Yolanda Muñoz.
In addition to Cartagena's historical and cultural offerings, the Plaza Mayor project will be unveiled as a space for cultural, social, and sporting events. Activities will include nature excursions such as kayaking from El Portús and visits to the Neptune and Giant caves; cycling routes along the Mar Menor and visits to the San Pedro salt flats; diving experiences in the Islas Hormigas Marine Reserve; horseback riding or mountain biking in the Calblanque Natural Park; and visits to Castillitos and various fortresses.
Cartagena is ready to welcome cruise passengers as a safe destination, having received the Advanced Good Practices for COVID-19 certification. This certification applies to both the Cruise Terminal and the Port Police, and includes protocols designed to guarantee maximum safety. This is thanks to the collaborative work between the Port Authority, the Cartagena City Council, and the Regional Government, which has also enabled 11 tourist sites to receive the Safe Tourism certification. Facilities have been adapted to COVID protocols for passengers, ground staff, and Cartagena residents. Measures have been implemented to minimize risks, including social distancing, temperature checks, disinfection, and a designated area for health screenings and testing. In addition, the Cruise Terminal has undergone improvements, including new paint, signage, and repairs to the building and flooring.
Furthermore, the Autonomous Community gave the green light to the reactivation of cruise tourism, where shipping companies will have to integrate into their protocols the measures established in the regional regulations for the prevention of Covid-19, which will at all times be subject to the evolution of the health situation in the community.
Shipping companies have determined in their protocols that passengers disembarking will travel in so-called "bubble groups" to ensure maximum safety in operations and scheduled excursions
