The CLIA Spain column

Alfredo Serrano

Managing Director CLIA Spain

Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 61 – June 2022

Barcelona and the calm debate

After many months of longing, the much-anticipated return to normality in all aspects of our lives, and the consequent path toward industrial recovery, seems to be becoming an increasingly tangible reality. While we still face (and will continue to face) significant challenges of various kinds, the reactivation—with some exceptions in certain regions—is gradually taking hold.

This also brings back those issues that were put on hold during the pandemic, when the agenda took a 180-degree turn and the landscape changed radically. One of these issues is precisely the future of industry in Barcelona.

Just a few weeks ago, at the end of May, its mayor, Ada Colau, criticized the activity in Barcelona and expressed her intention to create a working group involving various administrations. Likewise, and if my memory serves me correctly, for the first time—at least publicly—Colau pointed to road traffic as the main source of pollution and called for a calm, data-driven dialogue. This is a significant change in her discourse, a step toward moderation, which I would wholeheartedly welcome were it not for the fact that these statements were immediately followed by others—from her inner circle—proposing a limit, blithely suggesting a number of boats without providing any study or data to justify it. I fail to understand how this impromptu proposal fits with the calm, data-driven debate she claims to be seeking.

Since then, the different reactions have been swift, with both sides taking positions for and against Colau's announcement: the debate is open and I would venture to say that it will play a significant role in the upcoming municipal election campaign.

It's nothing new to say that the industry is absolutely committed to destinations and is always willing to collaborate and work hand in hand with them to address their needs and challenges, providing tailored solutions: because no two destinations are alike, no two solutions are the same, even if the ultimate goal might be very similar. For this process to be fruitful, it is essential to share a common goal and establish a dialogue—based on trust—in which the interests of the different stakeholders are considered, supported by facts and objective criteria: when the livelihoods of thousands of people are at stake, rigor must be paramount, prevailing over ideologically driven arguments.

In this regard, and specifically in the case of Catalonia, a study conducted by the University of Barcelona indicates that the cruise industry's activity in the Port of Barcelona contributed over €1 billion to the autonomous community and generated/contributed to the maintenance of more than 9,000 jobs (6,000 of them in Barcelona). The study also notes that a cruise passenger beginning their journey in the city spends an average of €230, while a transit passenger spends an average of €57.

I would strongly recommend that those who accuse the industry of not contributing value take a look at this study. And speaking of reports, another very interesting one is the one prepared by Barcelona Regional (an agency linked to the City Council) dedicated to analyzing the city's pollution patterns. As it reveals, the cruise sector is responsible for generating 1.2% of NOx and 0.23% of PM10.

Beyond the cruise lines and the destination, another key player in this equation is the Port Authority. Barcelona not only boasts Europe's leading cruise port, but also serves as a model of management and commitment to sustainable development. Since 2018, when it signed an agreement with the City Council, the Port Authority has been actively addressing and implementing initiatives to reduce the externalities generated by the industry. These initiatives include: reducing the number of terminals and relocating them to the Adosado Wharf; projects aimed at managing passenger flow; prioritizing homeporting; and more.

Furthermore, it has allocated €110 million to Nexigen, a project aimed at decarbonizing the industry and improving air quality. The ultimate goal—the electrification of cruise ship docks by 2030—aligns with the steps and ambitions that shipping companies have set for themselves: to reduce emissions by 40% by 2030 and strive for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

After this initial wave of reactions and the arrival of the summer holidays, the issue may calm down, only to return, presumably, with greater force in the autumn as the election approaches. Once again, I reiterate the industry's commitment and willingness to cooperate and work with destinations, including Barcelona, ​​provided one condition is met: a commitment to rigor; rigor in analyzing the context; rigor in providing data; and rigor in proposing ideas.

Barcelona seeks to design a tourism development model that mitigates negative externalities and fosters harmonious coexistence between residents and visitors; one that continues to generate wealth and enables sustainable growth. This will only be possible if the approach is taken by analyzing the whole picture—not just a part of it—and from objective perspectives, free from ideologies and without stigmatizing any sectors, through calm and data-driven dialogue.