Barcelona remains leader in Europe despite losing cruise

The cruise industry is on the rise. All the Spanish ports visited by 3,2 million passengers on board 1.627 recreational vessels during the first half of the year. An increase 3,7% over the previous year.

According to data provided by the State Ports, Barcelona's harbors, despite losing volume cruceristas al compared last year, are consolidated as the first in Spain and Europe.

State Ports refers to figures of the International Association of Cruise Lines (CLIA), indicating that the port of Barcelona is a world reference about embarking and disembarking of recreational vessels.

The magnitudes of the port placed as Europe's leading cruise passenger traffic and fourth in the world.

First in Europe and fourth in the world

In 2013, Barcelona was the first cruise port in Europe, bringing together 2,5 million passengers. Almost a million more than its closest competitor. Civitavecchia, en Italia, its accounting 2,4 million tourists.

All the harbors of the Balearic Islands were positioned in fifth place, with 1,6 million cruise passengers, above historical sites like Marseille (France), Las Palmas and Santorini (Greece).

Balearic grows

However, Barcelona lost the port of passengers in the first half of the year. Until June received 947.873 cruise, a 9% less than in the same period last year.

The set of ports of the Balearic Islands, Contra, continues to grow. Positioned as second enclave of Spain cruises, their harbors totaled more than 591.000 passengers, a 5% in the first half of 2013.

The Mediterranean, without competition

The preferences of cruise tourists in Spain are clear. Mediterranean ports are favorites, and account for 59% the total traffic of the country. Only Barcelona and the Balearic Islands are eating 47% Spanish shipments.

Extracted news www.02b.com