Costa Brava expecting record number of cruise ship passengers

As one of Catalonia’s main tourist areas, the Costa Brava is used to breaking records. This coming holiday season the popular coastal region is due to welcome record numbers of cruise ship passengers. Some 57,000 cruise ship tourists in 62 separate stopovers are expected to visit the ports of Palamós (Baix Empordà) and Roses (Alt Empordà). The figures show a rise of 26% in the number of cruise ship passengers and a 35% increase in the number of stopovers compared to last year, which itself was a record year.

The cruise ship season on the Costa Brava begins on March 4 in the seaside resort of Palamós. Yet, the town’s port is still waiting for its authorization as a Schengen border point. According to the Catalan ports authority, the project fulfilling the requirements was sent to the Spanish government in July, but nothing has been heard since. Becoming a border point for the Schengen area, in which there is free circulation of people and goods, would make Palamós more attractive to non-European tourists. The season will begin in Roses on May 6.

The direct financial impact of the visiting cruise ship passengers on the local area is estimated to be 3.9 million euros. This figure, from the Cruise Lines International Association, is based on the estimate that each passenger will spend an average of 62 euros, with each crew member expected to spend an average of 25 euros. Meanwhile, the expenses for using the port’s facilities amount to about six euros per passenger. In all, ships from some 17 different cruise line companies are due to visit the Costa Brava this season.