The Malaga City Council, through the Department of Commerce, Public Roads and Business Development, is launching a new edition of the 'Malaga Cruise Shops' campaign to promote the city as a shopping destination for cruise passengers stopping at the port of Malaga, in response to the demand conveyed by merchants in the city center district.
The program already has more than 40 participating establishments that will open on Sundays and public holidays when cruise ships dock in the port, with the aim of taking advantage of the influx of tourists. A new information phase is beginning, targeting traditional establishments in the Historic Center, La Malagueta, and Soho, so that new businesses can join this program that strengthens the visibility of small businesses and improves the visitor experience.
The councillor for Commerce, Public Roads and Promotion of Business Activity, Elisa Pérez de Siles, together with the manager of the Málagaport foundation, Pilar Fernández-Fígares, and the deputy director of Málaga Cruise Port, Ana Marín, today presented the launch of a new edition of this municipal project to boost small businesses in the Historic Centre and improve the experience of cruise passengers visiting the city.
The presentation took place at the cruise terminal, where a promotional totem has been installed. This totem incorporates a QR code with expanded information and geolocation, facilitating cruise passengers' visits to these businesses. This service is managed through the Digital Commerce Office, which also handles the overall operation of the municipal marketplace 'Yocomproenmálaga' (I shop in Málaga)
The 'Málaga Cruise Shops' initiative was launched in 2013, in collaboration with the Tourism Department, in response to local businesses' demands to highlight the efforts of traditional shops. By joining, businesses benefit from official promotion on maps and posters, which the City Council also distributes through tourist offices, directly connecting potential customers with their local shops.
The City Council will provide participants with new visibility materials, specific signage, and
corporate bags so that cruise passengers can quickly identify open local businesses offering their services to visitors.
In this regard, it should be noted that cruise tourism has experienced significant growth in recent years in Malaga, with a total of 570,481 passengers on board 331 calls during the year 2025, according to data provided by the Malagaport Foundation and Malaga Cruise Port.
The 'Málaga Cruise Shops' initiative is conceived as a strategic tool to increase the attractiveness of the destination, strengthen local commerce and offer cruise passengers a more satisfying experience, while supporting the efforts of traditional businesses as a fundamental driver of the local economy.
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