The Costa Brava ports of Palamós and Roses are expected to receive 60,000 passengers over the 2019 season, an increase of 18% on the previous year. The Minister for Territory and Sustainability, Damià Calvet, announced this new record at the presentation of this year’s season, held today at the Port of Palamós. The event was also attended by the mayor of Palamós, Lluís Puig; the mayor of Roses, Montserrat Mindan; the presidents of the chambers of commerce of Palamós and Girona, Xavier Ribera and Domènec Espadalé; the president of Ports de la Generalitat, Isidre Gavín; and the general manager of Ports de la Generalitat, Joan Pere Gómez.

 

This will be the third year running in which there has been an increase in the number of tourists arriving at the two ports. The increase in 2018 was 13%, and in 2017, 7%. A total of 54 stops are expected, the same number as in the previous season. In 2019, 10 cruise lines will visit the two Costa Brava ports. Seventy percent are deluxe lines, and it is envisaged that 87% of tourists will travel with standard-category lines. These robust figures reflect the effort that Costa Brava Cruise Ports has put into promotion. Seventy-seven percent of passengers are from the United Kingdom, 11% from North America, and 3% from Germany.

 

Minister Calvet said: “The cruise season runs from 8 April to 28 October. This five-month window allows us to deseasonalise the activity and offer a quality service since we can avoid a concentration of cruise traffic in the summer months.” The minister also highlighted the economic impact of cruise stops: “According to a study conducted by the Cruise Lines International Association, record passenger numbers this year will translate into an estimated economic impact of €4.3 million. Passengers who disembark spend an average of €62, and crew members, an average of €23.” Additional revenue of six euros per passenger is generated by spending on port services for ships. The general manager of Ports de la Generalitat said: “The ports of Palamós and Roses and the tourist destination are committed to offering quality services for cruises and ensuring sustainable growth.”

  

The Port of Palamós is expected to receive 54,000 passengers (up 18%) and 46 stops (the same as in 2018). With this growth, it is anticipated that Palamós will break its record for passenger numbers for the third consecutive year. These figures strengthen the port’s leadership in Costa Brava cruises and bolster its international visibility in this market.

 

The Port of Roses is expected to receive eight cruise stops, the same as last year, and 6,000 passengers, 15% more than in the previous season. As a result, 2019 is expected to be the third consecutive year of passenger growth for Roses.

 

Minister Calvet said the Costa Brava Cruise ports “are now classed as large ports because they handle over 50,000 passengers a year. This goal has been achieved thanks to cooperation between the town councils of Palamós and Roses, the Costa Brava–Girona Tourist Board, the chambers of commerce of Palamós and Girona, and the Catalan government.”