By
Alex Smith |
MedCruise has launched the Cruise Economic Impact Assessment Study, a new initiative aimed at evaluating the economic, social and environmental contribution of cruise tourism across the Mediterranean and adjacent regions.
The project is intended to provide a data-led assessment of cruise tourism’s impact, combining quantitative and qualitative analysis to support decision making by port authorities, cruise operators, policymakers and local stakeholders.
“Robust data is essential, but its true value lies in how it is communicated,” said Theodora Riga, president of MedCruise and president of Corfu Port Authority. “Cruise tourism is multifaceted, with many perspectives and only a holistic approach can do justice to its real impact. Through this approach, MedCruise ensures that the entire story is told, enabling informed dialogue and balanced decision-making.”
The study aims to quantify the economic contribution of cruise activity, including direct, indirect and induced effects, and to identify opportunities for sustainable development and increased local value creation. It also seeks to support engagement with local communities by providing clearer communication of the sector’s impacts and to offer guidance on areas such as employment generation, diversification of port activities and passenger experience development.
The methodology includes analysis of expenditure by cruise companies, passengers and crew to map economic flows, alongside assessment of value-added and employment effects. It also evaluates activity types, passenger profiles and port characteristics to better understand market dynamics. Data collection is underway and will continue throughout the cruising year to capture seasonal and regional variation.
“This study marks a turning point in how we understand cruise tourism in the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas,” said Lorenzo Vera, member of the MedCruise board of directors and coordinator of the initiative. “By grounding the discussion in solid evidence and shared data, we are building a common framework that empowers ports and destinations to shape a more resilient and sustainable future.”
The study is being conducted in collaboration with Professor Thanos Pallis of the Department of Maritime Studies at the University of Piraeus and involves more than 12 MedCruise member ports across the Atlantic, West Mediterranean, Adriatic and East Mediterranean and Red Sea regions. Participating ports include Cabo Verde, Cartagena, Dubrovnik, Gibraltar, Kotor, Lavrio, Sardinian Ports, Sibenik, Taranto, Tarragona, Toulon Bay Ports, Volos and Western Sicilian Ports.
“This initiative will advance our understanding of the real impact of cruise activity on Mediterranean ports and destinations, generating valuable information for all,” said Professor Pallis. “Creating a culture of evidence-based information and providing the framework for similar studies facilitates decision making and the much-needed dialogue between all stakeholders working for sustainable cruise growth.”
Findings from the study are scheduled to be presented at Seatrade Cruise Global 2027, with the aim of providing a framework for future policy development and strategic planning within the cruise sector.