On July 14, in the Josep Laporte Hall at the Fortuny Theater, institutional and business representatives who are members of the Institutional Cruise Ship Committee met in person for the first time to discuss the start of the 2023 season and continue preparations for the events they will organize in the coming months.
This fall, the committee will organize the second edition of the Conference on Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship in Cruise Shipping and Recreational Boating, and in June 2024, the 64th meeting of the MedCruise Assembly.
The latest update on cruise ship arrivals for this season projects the arrival
of 55 cruise ships and 108,600 passengers. The more than 700 surveys conducted
this season by Eurecat-Centre Tecnològic de Catalunya show an average rating of 8.8 out of 10 for excursions, while the overall rating as a
tourist destination is 8.4.
According to the Institutional Cruise Ship Committee, “these figures are a sign of the good work done so far, surpassing previous years’ ratings and reflecting visitors’ positive perception of the Tarragona region.”
The meeting of the Institutional Cruise Ship Committee was attended by:
- Noemí Llauradó, President of the Tarragona Provincial Council and Deputy Mayor of the City of Reus.
- Alba Colet, Global Ports Holding's representative in Tarragona.
- Francisco Pintado, president of the Tarragona Hospitality Business Association (AEHT).
- Marta Farrero, director of the Costa Daurada Tourism Board, an autonomous agency.
- Montse Adan, Councilor for Commerce and Tourism for the City of Tarragona.
- Mònica Conesa, Head of DMC & In-Destination Sales at Port Aventura.
- Cristina Cid, former councilwoman for tourism for the Vila-seca City Council, and Lluïsa Clavé Muñoz, councilwoman for tourism for the Vila-seca City Council.
- Berta Cabré, president of the Tarragona Hospitality and Tourism Business Federation (FEHT).
- Oscar Saladié, professor at Rovira i Virgili University (URV).
- Juan Crespo, director of Reus Airport.
- Anna Martínez, Deputy Director General of Tourism Planning and Inspection.
- Genoveva Climent, Director of Sales and Business Development at the Tarragona Port Authority (APT), and APT President Saül Garreta.
The meeting's agenda addressed issues related to the operation of the
season, such as the estimated number of port calls and the initial results of the cruise passenger satisfaction survey, as well as topics regarding the organization of events.
During the first few months of the cruise season, a total of 730 surveys were conducted among passengers to gauge their perceptions and experiences. The surveys were divided into three categories: passengers who went on an independent tour (384), passengers who went on an organized excursion (157), and passengers who boarded at the Port of Tarragona (189).
The average rating for excursions in 2023 is 8.8, slightly higher than the 2022 rating of 8.5. As for the overall rating of the destination, the 2023 average is 8.4, while in 2022 it was 8.5. Finally, it is worth noting that so far this year, spending by cruise passengers has increased in most of the categories evaluated.
Tarragona to Host the 64th MedCruise Assembly in 2024
The 64th MedCruise Assembly will be held in Tarragona from June 11 to 14, 2024. This will be a major event for the cruise industry and a great opportunity for
,
the Port of Tarragona, and the region to position themselves as a tourist destination.
The MedCruise Assembly is the event organized by the association of Mediterranean cruise ports that brings together the various stakeholders in the cruise industry, such as cruise lines, port agents, tourism boards, and companies associated with this industry.
Second Conference on Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship in Cruise Shipping and Recreational Boating
The industry conference will take place during the third quarter with the goal of replicating the success of the inaugural event held in 2022. The organizers are working to bring together experts to discuss trends, strategies, and new policies aimed at addressing the industry’s need to respect the environment.
We'll Be at Seatrade Europe
The Institutional Committee will once again be present at the trade show Seatrade Europe from September 6 to 8, the biannual cruise industry event held in Hamburg, where
the sector’s leading companies—including suppliers, cruise lines, ports, and destinations—will gather to discuss the latest trends facing the European cruise market.
The Institutional Committee will be located in the Port of Tarragona area at the joint booth with Puertos del Estado, with the goal of promoting Tarragona and the region at one of the major trade shows held in Central Europe.
The Cruise Board
At this latest meeting of the Institutional Cruise Ship Committee, the projections remain optimistic, with 55 cruise ships and 108,600 passengers.
The Institutional Cruise Ship Roundtable is a collaborative forum where institutions, government agencies, businesses, and universities work together to develop a sustainable model for the cruise industry.
From the moment a tourist destination is marketed, as well as from the moment trips are offered, cruise passengers choose from a wide range of destinations covering the entire Camp de Tarragona and Terres de l’Ebre regions, such as the Conca de Barberà, the Priorat, Terres de l’Ebre, or the cities of Tarragona, Reus, and Vila-seca themselves.
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