Economic impact of cruise activity: the case of Barcelona

Abstract

This article shows the methodology and the main figures of the local and regional economic impact generated by cruise activity. This article is pioneering in combining different issues: estimating the impact of the cruise port activity, presenting these impacts disaggregated at a sectoral level, using a rigorous methodology and carrying out extensive fieldwork. It is demonstrated that all sectors, not just traditional tourism-related sectors, benefit from cruise tourism. In order to test and apply our methodology we focus the analysis in The Port of Barcelona, which has become the leading cruise port in the Mediterranean area.

Fear and Trembling of Cruise Ship Employees: Psychological Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Cruise tourism is a socio-economic system based on maritime transport with a sole purpose of creating tourism experiences founded on interaction between people, organizations, and geographical entities [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. As such, cruise ship employees have a crucial role in delivering quality service [ 21 ] in a multi-sensory cruise experience [ 1 ].…”

Iceland’s bourgeoning cruise industry: An economic opportunity or a local threat?

“…Identifying the economic benefits gained from cruise tourists in a destination is very controversial. Cruise tourists tend to spend much less that other tourists that enter the country by other means, as those arriving by air pay for all services and goods on land, with similar observations made for over a decade now (Brida and Zapata, 2010;João et al, 2018;Vayá et al, 2018). Cruise ship passengers have all-inclusive deals when on-board the ship and are therefore tempted to settle for small food and beverage purchases when on an excursion.…”

“…The reason for this has been declines in ticket prices, which has opened the cruise tourism market up to budget travellers (João Lopes and Dredge, 2018). Even despite the financial crises, international cruise demand increased by 84% from 2004 to 2014 (Vayá et al., 2018). In Iceland, the increase has been even more dramatic, with cruise ship arrivals increasing by over 91% (between 2015 and 2019) in Iceland’s small northern town of Akureyri (with a local population of 18,000) and its surrounding ports alone (Isavia, 2019).…”

“…A survey by Cruise Iceland (the regulatory body that overlooks promotion and cruise services in Iceland) notes the country amassed around 72.6 M Euros in 2018 and created about 900 jobs (Cruise Iceland, 2019). Despite the potential economic impacts of cruise ships visiting Iceland, what scholars argue is the need to consider economic gains alongside environmental costs and social consequences that disrupt communities (Jones et al., 2016; Jordan and Vogt, 2017; Vayá et al., 2018).…”

European Cruise ports: challenges since the pre-pandemic era

“…direct, indirect, and induced) impact of the cruise industry on communities around the globe is 1,11 million jobs, equalling $45.6 billion in wages and salaries and $134 billion total output. In 2017, this impact in the biggest European cruise port (Barcelona) reached € 796 million, that is the equivalent 6,759 full-time jobs (Vayá, Garcia, Murillo, Romaní, & Suriñach, 2018). True, the mere reproduction of growth numbers in isolation may foster a misconception of cruise sector substance and role within the wider context (Papathanassis, 2019).…”