The Port of Alicante Seeks New Shipping Lines and Stops at the World's Leading Cruise Fair

The Port of Alicante attended the Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami this week, the world's most important cruise fair and an essential event for the sector. Under the umbrella of State Ports, an Alicante delegation attended, including the Costa Blanca Provincial Tourism Board, the cruise terminal concessionaire Global Ports Holding, and the Port Authority itself.

The aim is to position the city as a preferred destination for cruises, seeking new shipping lines that want to make Alicante their home port. Additionally, the delegation, which also includes the Municipal Tourism Board and the Alicante Cruise Tourism Association, aims to increase the number of stops for the coming years, already exceeding 100 by 2025.

This is a key fair for the sector, attended by more than 11,000 participants and 600 exhibitors from over 120 countries. At the Alicante stand, they proudly showcase their offer of crystal-clear beaches, over 100 castles, and Spain's gastronomic capital, as well as excursions to places like Guadalest or Benidorm.

The Port Authority highlights that the goal is "to continue increasing the number of stops to surpass current figures and attract new shipping lines that include Alicante in their itineraries." However, the big prize is sought: to be an embarkation port for more cruises, which would significantly increase the sector's economic impact.

Currently, Alicante has about twenty stops as an embarkation port with the company MSC Cruises, where an average of 300 passengers embark. "Becoming a home port would especially benefit local sectors, increasing the average spending that passengers make in the city, mainly due to the need to stay overnight or use services," explain sources from the Alicante delegation.

It is estimated that the sector contributed 60 million euros in 2024 thanks to the 235,000 passengers who made a stopover at the port, consolidating it as one of the main cruise ports in Spain.

In addition to the recruitment efforts, Alicante has presented its renovated cruise terminal, as well as the future plan for this infrastructure and an investment of one million euros to improve ship docking.

"Participation in Seatrade Cruise Global not only positions Alicante as a benchmark in Mediterranean cruise tourism but also reinforces its international presence as an innovative, sustainable destination prepared for the future challenges of the sector," explain from the Port Authority.

For now, the feelings are positive, and the delegation is finding "a great welcome from professionals, representatives of shipping lines, and tour operators who visit the stand, valuing very positively both the location of the port," as well as the offer and excursions.