Cruise activity in ‘Port de Barcelona’ generates €2.2 million in turnover per day

Barcelona (CNA).- Cruise activity in ‘Port de Barcelona’ generates 413.2 million euros in revenue, which means a 2.2 million daily turnover. According to a study from the University of Barcelona (UB) released this Tuesday, direct and indirect expenses from cruisers, shipping companies and crews amounts to 796 million euros and most of it stays in Barcelona. The study also shows that the cruise activity generates around 7,000 jobs and has other positive effects on the Catalan economy such as the increase of activity at ‘Aeroport del Prat’. In terms of tax revenues, 152 million euros benefitting Catalonia and the whole of Spain are collected from cruise activity, besides the tourist tax. 

The Catalan capital is the main beneficiary of this activity, since 75% of the profits stay in the city of Barcelona (a 313.4 million euros contribution to the GDP and 5,039 jobs in absolute terms). During the presentation of the study, Professor of Applied Economics at UB, Jordi Suriñach, calculated that the cruise activity generates 2.2 million in turnover daily in Catalonia and that each cruise generates on average a turnover of one million euros.

Suriñach also noted that cruise activity in January had negative effects for the city as well, as it tended to congest the main tourist areas of Barcelona. However, he argued that the fact that since many cruise ships use the Catalan capital as their home port and their passengers spend the night in the city, this could contribute to “diluting” the effect of congestion and distribute visits to tourist areas across a greater number of days. Regarding environmental effects, the professor said that cruise ships produce only 1.2% of the nitrous oxide and 0.2% of the solid particles suspended in the city’s air.

The President of the Port of Barcelona, Sixte Cambra, said that cruise activity “involves growth and stability, elements that form a solid foundation that is maintained throughout the year, generating economic activity and jobs”. The President noted that the Port of Barcelona needs to increase its role as a base port, as this will increase “the positive impact of cruise activity”. During the press conference, Cambra praised cruise activity as “key” to boosting the activity of other infrastructures such as Barcelona’s airport. Similarly, the President explained that the port is preparing a study on the environmental impact of cruise ships.

Cruiser profiles

According to figures released by Barcelona Tourism based on a survey of 3,100 cruise passengers, the study established the profile of travellers who visit the Catalan capital. Cruise passengers who visit the city without staying overnight spend on average 4.3 hours in Barcelona, representing 57.5% of total passenger movements. The “turnaround” cruise passengers (who start and end their route in Barcelona) stay on average 2.6 nights and account for 23.9% of total movements, while the remaining 18.6% correspond to passengers who get on the boat in the city without staying overnight or visiting it.