Barcelona Port chair calls for clear protocols to bring back cruising

'Not only because a year without cruising would cause losses of more than €11m for the port, but because it is a very important sector for Barcelona and Catalunya.

'Above all,' she continued, 'because this sector provides employment for more than 9,000 persons who are suffering.'

€560m contribution to GDP

Cruising contributes more than €560m annually to the Catalán gross domestic product.

Conese said discussions are already under way with health authorities to establish conditions for the resumption of cruises.

She spoke during Thursday's presentation of 2020 traffic and financial results.