The Tourism Roundtable, CEAV (Spanish Confederation of Travel Agencies), CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) and WTTC (World Travel & Tourism Council), presented a manifesto this morning, which was joined by more than 60 associations and companies in the tourism sector, for the reactivation of international cruises in Spain.
Despite the end of the state of emergency on May 9th, and the health advances that have been made in recent months, the ban on entry to international cruise ships in Spain, decreed by the government at the beginning of the pandemic, remains in effect.
International cruises accounted for all of Spain's cruise traffic before the pandemic, and the interest in reviving this type of tourism comes not only from the cruise lines, which have already accumulated millions in losses due to the halt in their operations. Regional governments, hotels, restaurants, shops, and other local businesses are also awaiting the arrival of cruise passengers.
In Europe, many countries have restarted cruise activity or have recently announced dates on which cruises are scheduled to begin.
In Spain, following the ban on international cruises, several Autonomous Communities promoted domestic cruises, and currently, all the Mediterranean communities have issued their own protocols. The Canary Islands were the first to do so, beginning operations last November with routes between the islands, and today more than 80,000 German tourists have been able to take cruises within the archipelago.
“Although the Ministry of Health has approved the framework for the resumption of international cruises, we still don't have an effective date, and this is urgent,” said Alfredo Serrano, director of CLIA Spain. “Cruise companies have strong empirical evidence that the implemented protocols are working and mitigating the spread of COVID-19, and more than 400,000 cruise passengers have sailed in Europe and Asia since July of last year without any outbreaks,” Serrano continued.
“Spanish travel agencies are receiving many requests for cruises, and we don't understand why people can enter Spain by land or air but not by cruise ship, especially since cruises more than comply with strict health protocols. It is essential that international cruises be authorized urgently so that this vital type of tourism for travel agencies can be restored,” stated Carlos Garrido, president of CEAV.
Associations and companies adhering to the manifesto: CLIA, CEAV, Mesa Del Turismo, WTTC, Patronat de Turisme Costa Brava Girona, ASECOB (Spanish Association of Ship Consignees), Port of Malaga, Pérez y Cia, SL, ABACTUR, Balearic Association of Tourist Guides, ADNEA, AEVAB, AFEDECO, AMTAT, APEAM, APIT Ibiza Formentera, APIDIF Menorca, APIDIF Ibiza and Formentera, AREMA, Artesanos Plaza Mayor, Artesanos PINEM, Associació Veins Rafal Nou, Associació Veins Rafal Vell, Autocares Comas/ Comité Empresa, Autocares Crespo Salazar, Autocares Marqués, Autocares Rafael Nadal, Autocares Roig, AVIBA, Balearic Handling, BC Consignatarios, BC Tour, BITS SL, CAEB, Col·legi Oficial de Guies Turístics de les Illes Balears, Colegio Oficial de Customs Agents and Brokers of the Balearic Islands, Ultramar Transport Works Council, FEBT Auto Taxi, FEBT, HABTUR, Intercruises, Lantimar, Mairica Excursioni, Mallorca Private Tour Guides, Marqués Limousines Services, Mercat de I´Olivar, Operadors de Mobilitat Balear SL, Palma Planas, Perlas Orquidea, PIMECO, PINEM, PINEM Restauración, Pro Guías Mallorca, Federació Veinants de Palma, Serviport Balear, Shore Handling, Sociedad Cooperativa Arxiduc, Sociedad Corporativa s´Almonia, Societat Civil Balear, Spain Private Tour Guides, Taxi Rapid, Taxis PINEM, Tren de Soller, Verlio, Viajes Kontiki, Ib Familia, CBC, Palma Tourist Trade Association.
