Barcelona cruise traffic building but there's much ground to make up

During the 12 months from Sept. 1, 2021, through Aug. 31 this year, 1,746,000 cruise passengers embarked, disembarked or transited the port.

80% higher in 2019

This compares with pre-COVID traffic that, during calendar year 2019, was 3,138,000 — approximately 80% higher.

Capacity constraints by the cruise operators, combined with varying restrictions at origin ports and destination calls, have had a downside impact.

Pent-up demand

As evidenced by frequent comments heard during Seatrade Cruise Med in Málaga last week, there is a deep well of pent-up demand among passengers across source markets.

But economic concerns

At the same time, there is broad concern over the global economic outlook, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.

It remains to be seen what the 2022 data will show.

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