Branded Costa Brava Cruise Ports and Delta Ebre Port, resorts of Palamós, Roses and Sant Carles de la Ràpita unveil at Seatrade Med new promotional videos and wide range of activities .
These three portsexpect to close season with 50 calls and 41,000 passengers, proving sustainable growth of industry and giving positive forecasts for next year.
Tourism key for Catalan economy and cruise industry plays strategic role by boosting economy and creating jobs.
The Catalan Secretary of Transport and Infrastructure and Chairman of Ports de la Generalitat, Ricard Font, accompanied by Maria Teresa Ferrés, Mayoress of Palamós; Montse Mindan, Mayoress of Roses; and Joan Martín, Mayor of Sant Carles de la Ràpita, amongst other dignitaries, today unveiled new tourist activities and promotional material for Costa Brava Cruise Ports and Delta Ebre Port. The event took place to coincide with Seatrade Med, the most important cruise convention in the Mediterranean, being held in Barcelona for the first time ever.
Cruise companies, port authorities, tour operators and travel agents are attending Seatrade Med this week. The Generalitat (Catalan government) is taking part in the trade fair, through the public company Ports de la Generalitat, with a stand featuring the ports of Palamós, Roses and Sant Carles de la Ràpita, as well as information on the rest of the region. .
41,000 cruise tourists
Tourism is key for the Catalan economy, with the cruise industry at government-run ports playing a strategic role. For example, the ports of Palamós, Roses and Sant Carles will close the 2014 season in mid-November having recorded 50 calls and around 41,000 passengers, which will have brought an estimated 3 million euros to the region. These figures secure Palamós as the second busiest cruise port in the whole of Catalonia. Palamós is a smaller-scale port holding a strong position in the cruise industry and perfectly complements larger ports. What’s more, cruise ships are regularly calling at Roses and itineraries are now featuring Sant Carles. Some of the companies which have visited these three destinations this season are Azamara Cruises, Compagnie du Ponant, Crystal Cruises, Fred Olsen, Pullmantur (Croisières de France), Seabourn Cruise Lines, Star Clippers, Thomson Cruises and Windstar Cruises, to name just a few.
Forecasts for next year are also positive, with American and European liners continuing to call at all three ports. Meanwhile, companies such as Tui Cruises will return to Palamós, whilst Oceania Cruises and Costa Cruceros will dock for the first time.
These three ports are fully integrated into the maritime atmosphere of their towns and the natural environment, highly regarded factors for cruise companies. Strategic location and the diversification of port-based industries are helping the cruise industry grow sustainably in these destinations. Along these lines, Ports de la Generalitat sets out to achieve industry-wide consensus, helping increase cruise ship traffic whilst also developing other activities with normality.
Attractions of the Costa Brava
The cruise industry highly values the affinity between a port and a resort. This is why the brands Costa Brava Cruise Ports and Delta Ebre Port respond to demands from the liners to integrate port and town under one umbrella.
The ports and destinations of Palamós and Roses are both promoted by the brand Costa Brava Cruise Ports. Today, as part of Seatrade Med, a new promotional video was premiered featuring the ports and local activities. The video will be shown at leading industry events, accompanied by brochures and other promotional articles.
Meanwhile, Palamós Town Hall has produced a promotional video called “The Palamós of Truman Capote”, which links the famous writer’s stay with the Costa Brava. Spectacular images immortalise the beauty of the local landscape and its conservation over time, alternating between black and white footage from the past and present-day pictures. What’s more, Roses Town Hall has joined forces with world-renowned chef Ferran Adrià to showcase the wide range of gastronomy-related activities on offer in the Alt Empordà
Terres de l’Ebre, a brand new destination for cruise tourists
Following an official agreement signed in 2013, the port of Sant Carles de la Ràpita and the Terres de l’Ebre are now promoted under the name of Delta Ebre Port. Today, the brand was presented to the world’s top cruise companies and tour operators in search of brand new destinations. The material provided by Sant Carles de la Ràpita Town Hall highlights the features of this natural harbour in Alfacs Bay, the area’s exquisite cuisine and the fact that the Terres de l’Ebre are a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Delta Ebre Port also boasts a range of promotional tools to publicise the port and destination across the cruise industry.
Industry leaders at today’s event became cruise tourists for a day and were invited to savour typical produce from the Empordà and Terres de l’Ebre.
