Taranto Cruise Port closes the 2022 cruise season with very positive results: 54 port calls (26 more than in 2021) for a total of almost 110,000 passengers (more than 28,500 more than the previous year), which translates into a growth of 93% in port calls and 35% in the number of cruise passengers, with MSC Cruises being the largest customer in 2022.
In 2022, the Port of Taranto Cruises also welcomed 9 cruise ships on their inaugural calls, demonstrating the growing appeal of the destination to cruise lines, while the breakdown by passenger nationalities reveals a strong interest from Italians and French (73% of the total), followed by Germans (15%) and Anglo-Americans (12%).
The upcoming 2023 season will open on May 9th with the arrival of the Celebrity Constellation cruise ship, followed by 40 calls from 7 different cruise lines, 5 of which will be inaugural calls and more than 110,000 passengers, confirming Taranto's stable growth trend within the cruise industry.
The main customer of the Port of Taranto Cruises this season will be Costa Cruises, which will carry out turnaround operations on its 19 calls of the Costa Pacifica between June and October, thanks also to the new structure of the terminal on the west dock of the San Cataldo Pier, currently in the expansion phase.
As the recipient of the “Destination of the Year” award at the 2022 Seatrade Cruise Awards, Taranto has received official recognition from the entire industry. In 2023, Taranto will host Italian Cruise Day, organized by Risposte Turismo in October, thanks to the joint efforts of the City of Taranto, the Ionian Sea Port Network Authority, the Port of Taranto Cruises, and the entire local cruise cluster.
“We are pleased with the results of 2022 and ready to welcome the opportunities that 2023 holds, including the operations of Costa Cruises, a new guest of the Port of Taranto. We are confident that thanks to the know-how of Global Ports Holding and the collaboration with the City Council and the Port Authority, 2023 will mark another successful season,” said Raffaella Del Prete, Managing Director of Taranto Cruise Port.
“Taranto’s role within the cruise industry has been growing, thanks to the numerous port calls in 2023 and the opportunities offered by Italian Cruise Day in terms of regional marketing. As in the past, we will offer our expertise and services to ensure an unforgettable experience for cruise passengers,” stated Rinaldo Melucci, Mayor of Taranto.
