Cruise Passengers and Investors: A New Initiative by Alicante Port to Boost the Economy

Alicante concluded 2024 as the preferred province for foreigners to purchase a home. The city is the capital with the highest foreign demand in all of Spain, with 23.79%, according to the 'Annual Residential Market Report' by the real estate portal Idealista.

Foreigners are increasingly interested in investing in a province that exudes quality of life. Therefore, the Alicante Costa Blanca Tourism and Cruises Association (Alctc), dedicated to promoting Alicante and the Costa Blanca as a global cruise tourism destination, has implemented a guidance service for tourists arriving in the Alicante capital. This service provides comprehensive legal and real estate advice for purchasing property anywhere in the region or for starting a business.

This service facilitates contact with real estate agencies and provides information on administrative procedures and advice on fiscal or tax matters, according to the association. Most of the time, it is offered on-board, from the tourist information point set up by the organisation at the cruise terminal.

Since the last quarter of 2024, thanks to this advisory service, at least three different companies have been established, in addition to the acquisition of various properties in Torrevieja and other localities in Vega Baja, as detailed by the Alctc.

This important informational service is conducted in coordination with associates according to the required typology, with the ultimate goal of increasing business investment and thus economic and social impact, as well as "creating jobs for Alicante and the Costa Blanca".

The arrival of the first cruise ship of 2025 in Alicante on Sunday, March 2nd marked the start of a historic season. The Tourism Department forecasts indicate that 250,000 cruise passengers will arrive in a campaign that began with the arrival of the first ship at the Alicante dock.

The first ship to arrive at the Alicante pier was Seabourn Sojourn, a luxury cruise from Seabourn Cruise Line that brought nearly 450 passengers on board. The second cruise line arrived on March 31st: Marella, with the Marella Explorer II and more than 1,180 passengers on board.

From this date, the flow of cruises is incessant, with double stops and a more than positive summer where the crown jewel will once again be the MSC ship, this time with the nickname 'Music', which has Alicante as its home port from where it sails the Mediterranean on a route that can last from seven to more than 11 days.