The plans were discussed by the Institutional Cruise Committee, which met in the Fortuny Theatre in Reus this month also with the aim of analysing the initial weeks of the 2023 season and the results of a recent cruise passenger satisfaction survey.
The committee is a body made up of institutions, administrations, businesses and universities aiming to develop a sustainable model for the handling of cruise ships in Tarragona.
Recent observations shows that Tarragona is predicted to receive 55 cruise calls this season and 108,600 passengers - slightly less than previously forecast.
Passengers report higher satisfaction for shore excursions
During the first few months of the season, 730 surveys were conducted by Eurecat-Centre Tecnològic de Catalunya, indicating passengers’ perceptions and experiences. These were divided into three categories: passengers who planned their own tours in the area (384), passengers who took an organised shore excursion (157) and passengers who embarked in the Port of Tarragona (189).
The average rating for excursions so far in 2023 is 8.8 out of 10, exceeding that of 2022’s 8.5 figure. However, the overall destination rating was 8.4, slightly lower than last year where it came in at 8.5.
Cruise passenger spend has risen this year, with museums being the category with the highest growth, increasing by almost 100% from €5.8 to €12.5 per passenger, followed by restaurants and cafés that showed a more modest uptick.
The Institutional Cruise Committee said that the data is ‘a sign of the good work done so far, surpassing assessments from previous years and showing a positive perception of the Tarragona region among visitors.’
Meeting attendees
The Institutional Cruise Committee members that joined the meeting were: Noemí Llauradó, president, Tarragona Provincial Government and deputy mayor of Reus Town Council; Alba Colet, representative of Global Ports Holding in Tarragona; Francesc Pintado, president, Tarragona Hospitality Business Association (AEHT); Marta Farrero, head of the Costa Daurada Tourism Board Autonomous Body; Montse Adan, Tarragona city councillor for commerce and tourism; Mònica Conesa, Port Aventura DMC & in-destination sales manager; Cristina Cid, former tourism councillor for Vila-seca town council; Lluïsa Clavé Muñoz, current tourism councillor for Vila-seca town council; Berta Cabré, president, Tarragona Hospitality and Tourism Business Federation (FEHT); Oscar Saladié, professor, Rovira i Virgili University (URV); Juan Crespo, director, Reus Airport; Anna Martínez, deputy director general of Tourism Planning and Inspection; Genoveva Climent, commercial and business development director, Tarragona Port Authority; Saül Garreta, president, Tarragona Port Authority.
The Institutional Committee will attend Seatrade Europe (September 6-8) in Hamburg, sharing a space with the Port of Tarragona.
Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. Seatrade, a trading name of Informa Markets (UK) Limited.
Add Seatrade Cruise News to your Google News feed.  |
