The ports of Palamós and Roses are experiencing a strong resurgence in cruise activity after a nearly two-year hiatus caused by the pandemic. The 2022 cruise season is exceptionally strong, with 66 port calls and 60,000 passengers expected to arrive on the Costa Brava—figures that will be reached for the first time this season. In percentage terms, port calls have increased by 32% and passengers by 6% compared to the 2019 season. It's worth noting that in the last quarter of 2021, the ports of Palamós and Roses, along with the Costa Brava destination, saw a slight restart of cruise activity with 9 cruise ships and 4,000 passengers.
The estimated economic impact of cruise activity in the region is €5.4 million, according to a study by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), which estimates that each passenger spends an average of €90. Cruise activity plays a key role for the Costa Brava because it helps to reduce the seasonality of tourism in the area. This year, 67% of the cruise ships visiting Palamós and Roses will do so during the off-season, bringing a significant influx of tourists by sea and generating employment and economic activity.
The port of Palamós has begun its 2022 cruise season on the Costa Brava, a season that will last eight months, from April 3rd to November 18th. The first cruise ship of the season was the Azamara Pursuit, which arrived from the port of Barcelona with approximately 300 passengers, most of whom are American. These tourists plan to explore Palamós and the surrounding area, with excursions to Girona, Figueres, Púbol, Pals, and Peratalada.
At the season kickoff event and on the occasion of the first visit of the Azamara Pursuit, the CEO of Ports de la Generalitat, Peter Vila Fulcarà, the mayor of Palamós Louis Puig, the director of Territorial Services in Girona, Peter Salon, the third vice-president of the Diplutación de Girona, Maria Puig, and the president of the Palamós Chamber of Commerce, Pol Fages, presented a plaque to the cruise ship captain.
The port of Palamós plans to receive 57 cruise ship calls with 58,000 passengers this season, breaking records for both calls and passengers, and marking its best season ever. 63% of the cruise ships will arrive during the low season and the remaining 37% during the high season. This season will see five cruise ships calling at Palamós for the first time; in addition to today's call, the following are scheduled: Sea Cloud Spirit, Mein Schiff Herz, La Belle des Oceans, and Seven Seas Splendor.
