The first conference on the socio-economic impact and blue economy in the cruise and recreational boating sector, held yesterday in Barcelona, promoted by the Club Of Course in collaboration with Cruises News Media Group and Bespoke PR and Communication Service and sponsored by Hotel Nobu Barcelona, Wanderlust, Iryo and Grupo Juliá, addressed in a didactic and practical way these issues that, with their particularities, both sectors share, for an audience made up mainly of tourism professionals from the city, including suppliers of goods and services.
The first presentation was given by Maria del Mar Pérez, director of cruises at the port of Barcelona, who presented the figures for this traffic in Barcelona as well as the project to electrify the port's docks, which will finally allow ships to connect to the electrical grid while docked.
The Port of Barcelona reported a total of 3,655,981 movements, which in practice translates to slightly more than 2,500,000 passengers, counting both embarkation and disembarkation on ships that begin and end their itineraries in Barcelona. These latter passengers represent 56% of the total, meaning they stay overnight in Barcelona before or after their cruise and, in some cases, extend their vacation with a multi-day stay in the city.
Beatriz Orejudo, CEO of Lantimar Group, presented the key services that shipping agents provide to cruise companies, such as document management and representation before government agencies, waste management, and provisioning services, among others. She also highlighted the minimal need for cruise ships to refuel in port today, given that they have seawater purification plants on board.
First round table
Representatives from cruise companies such as Giorgio Costa, Director for Southern Europe at Crystal Cruises; Sofía Basterra, Communications Director at MSC Cruises; and Roberto Cabello, Sales Director for Europe, the Middle East, and South Africa at Oceania Cruises, participated in the first round table of the day, moderated by Virginia López Valiente, CEO of Cruises News Media Group, along with Irina Solomatina, Shorex Operation Manager at BC Agency, and Mateo Busilacchio, Commercial Development Manager Spain at Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services, both tour operators specializing in shore excursions and programs
The debate highlighted the commitment of all cruise lines and their suppliers to sustainability and local investment, as well as the evolution of excursions in recent years, both due to the reduced use of vehicles and the increasingly diverse and demanding tastes of passengers. The increasingly longer stays before and after the cruise, managed by cruise tour operators, are provided by local tourism service companies, and thousands of hotel nights are booked in the city. All three lines have state-of-the-art ships under construction.
Recreational boating
To put the situation of large yachts in our country into perspective, Ignacio Erroz, CEO of Marina Port Vell - a leading marina in the Mediterranean for megayachts and superyachts - gave an initial presentation in which he offered general data on the industry; thus, of the 400 new yachts built each year, half of them are over 30 meters in length, increasing from 42% in 2000 to 49% in 2023.
The round table discussion on the economic and social impact of large yachting was moderated by Eva Miquel Subías, managing partner of aWp services and founder of the new firm Bespoke, which specializes in communications consulting with a focus on the maritime sector. Joining Ignacio Erroz on the panel were Miguel Ángel Lliteras, Director of Pendennis-Vilanova; María Sennacheribbo, from the Yachting & Itinerary Planning Department of LANTIMAR GROUP; and Jordi Carrasco, General Director of ANEN (National Association of Nautical Companies).
The debate covered all activities associated with large yachts, their economic impact, the importance of refit and repair, provisioning, and other services related to the nautical industry. The differences between private yachts and chartering, which is clearly on the rise, were also addressed. This sector ensures the revitalization of the industrial fabric in the region thanks to the new professions associated with the auxiliary industry, as well as the growth of companies focused on high-end tourism related to shore-based offerings designed for owners and their high-spending guests.
Eva Miquel Subías and Virginia López Valiente are the creators of the format and promoters of this type of event focused on the blue economy, in collaboration with the Port Authorities interested in disseminating these activities among their tourist and port communities, as well as with the collaboration of private associations and groups of companies that intend to bring the potential of both sectors closer to their clients for commercial interests.
The Club Of Course, a networking club for the tourism sector, is the driving force behind the event, which is part of the Wanderlust program, currently being held in Barcelona at the Nobu Hotel.
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