The International Cruise Ship Congress recently concluded in Malaga, Spain - Where it was noted that the cruise ship industry has generated a significant economic impact in Europe during the last years, in a market which has not been affected by the worldwide economic crisis, it is estimated that 60% of cruise ship's cruise the Mediterranean Coast and the Atlantic Islands over other destinations such as North Europe and the Caribbean.
Nowadays, the cruise ship industry is undergoing important worldwide changes: the tendency is that the biggest shipping lines are placing their ships in the Mediterranean, North Europe and the European Atlantic Coasts against the American destinations. That is the reason why the cruise traffic in Europe and the Mediterranean has increased a 10% and so many ports have observed an increase of 20% in this kind of traffic.
The cruise traffic in the Port of Malaga has increased during the last years. A total of 240 cruise ships tied up in 2007. The forecast for the current year is the arriving of 275 cruise ships. This fact means an increase of 14.50% related to last year.
On the other hand, 292,567 passengers arrived to the Port of Malaga during 2007 and the forecast for the current year is to receive more than 360,000 passengers, exceeding the barrier of 300,000 passengers. This increase means a positive variation of 23% related to last year.
Cruise traffic in a port such as the Port of Malaga is in a constant evolution. With many of the major cruise lines using the port as a home or summer cruise base. The Port of Malaga continues working to improve the facilities for cruise traffic and is currently constructing a new passenger terminal in the berth N2 specifically for use by small and more exclusive cruise ships to enable them to berth in an area that is closer to the city centre.
During the Congress there where several discussions emphasizing the importance of also developing the shore excursion side of the industry and how important is it to the local economy.