Balearics shines at Cruise Summit

The figures, which highlight the Balearics as the destination with the third highest economic benefits from the cruise industry during this period, were revealed yesterday in Madrid at the presentation of this year's International Cruise Summit taking place in the capital between 26th and 28th October.

According to statistics gathered from around the country, the cruise industry brings more than 7 million visitors a year to Spain and by the end of this year, said researchers, the figure will go up to 8 million. If this is indeed the case, an analyst said yesterday, this will mean that the number of visitors has risen by 18 percent in comparison with statistics registered a year ago.

Growth is forecast at 15 percent over the next five years.
So far this year, business generated in Spain by the cruise industry has reached 550 million euros and if estimates are on course, the figure will go up to 700 million by the end of the year.

First Summit
More than 350 professionals from the cruise industry will be attending the first International Cruise Summit which has been organised by Cruises News Media Group. The event is expected to act as a platform for three days of debate to analyse an industry which in Spain alone brings 7.13 million cruising tourists a year.

The Summit will host representatives from shipping lines, ports, and holiday destinations from the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Denmark, Norway and Peru.

Yesterday, Manuel Butler, head of the Spanish tourist board at the Spanish Embassy in Berlin; Laura Rodriguez, the Marketing Director of Intercruises Shoreside and Port Services; and Miguel Sanz, the Tourist Promotion Coordinator for Madrid City Council agreed yesterday on the key role that Spain plays in the cruising industry. They were of the opinion that future strategy should aim to promote growth and the provision of a quality service to shipping companies and their customers. Between January and June this year, statistics showed, 1'632 cruise liners stopped off at ports around the country, 9.6 percent more than during the same period in 2010. “Spain is the leader in this market in Europe,” said Manuel Butler. “It is one of the tourist products that has grown the most over the last few years and one which has the best future ahead of it.” Spain accounts for 25 percent of cruising in the Mediterranean.