By
Rebecca Gibson |
This article was first published in the Spring/Summer 2017 issue of International Cruise & Ferry Review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed.
Throughout its history, the Port of A Coruña in north-west Spain has had close ties with the passenger transport industry. Initially, the port was a military stronghold and later it served as a point of departure for Galician emigrants setting sail for America. Today, A Coruña is one of the Atlantic’s most attractive destinations for cruise ships, particularly because the sea is the principal access point for tourists visiting the city. Plus, the cruise terminal is in the heart of the city centre and can be directly accessed via a large pedestrian square.
In recent years, the cruise industry has become one of the Port of A Coruña’s strongest sectors and offers tremendous potential for future growth. In 2009, passenger numbers reached just over 50,000 but grew steadily to hit a record 157,000 passengers who visited during a total of 108 cruise calls in 2013. Numbers have since remained stable and the port closed the 2016 cruise season after welcoming around 140,000 passengers, making it the leader on the Cantabrian-Atlantic seaboard in terms of calls.
Forecasts indicate that the Port of A Coruña will maintain its leading position in terms of northern seaboard calls and will also overtake destinations such as Porto, Portugal and Bilbao, Spain to become the leader in terms of passenger numbers in 2017. The port expects to beat its 2013 record by hosting more than 170,000 passengers and 60,000 crew during 120 calls. One reason behind the sharp rise in passenger numbers is that the port is handling larger ships and an increasing number of simultaneous calls. This year, for example, the port is scheduled to host five triple and 12 double calls.
The influx of 230,000 visitors to the city in 2017 will not only promote A Coruña to the international market, but it will also provide a major revenue source for tourism-related sectors. In fact, international estimates for cruise passenger expenditure per day suggest that the cruise sector will generate €15 million (US$15.9 million) for A Coruña’s economy in 2017. This figure is testament to highly competitive rates, quality port services, the city’s tourism offering and, most importantly, the port authority’s efforts to collaborate with major international cruise operators via specialised meetings and trade events.
This year, six ships will make inaugural calls to A Coruña. They include Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Explorer, Silversea Cruises’ Silver Muse and two of MSC Cruises’ newest ships, MSC Magnifica and MSC Preziosa. Meanwhile, several cruise lines will return to the Port of A Coruña as part of their Atlantic routes, including TUI Cruises and AIDA Cruises. P&O Cruises has scheduled a total of 20 calls for its ships Britannia, Oriana and Oceana, while Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth will make five visits. Royal Caribbean International will bring more than 20,000 passengers to the city.