Malaga Port set for record cruise passenger arrivals

CRUISE tourism is still on the rise in Malaga and is becoming one of the province’s main sources of visitors.

This year, more than 700,000 cruise ship passengers are expected to arrive at Malaga Port. Between September and December alone, some 300,000 passengers will have visited the city.

During the first quarter of 2011 244,000 cruise passengers spent an estimated €15.6 million in Malaga City.

In 2010, Malaga Port received some 659,123 tourists from cruises, an increase of more than a third against last year. These spent an estimated €56 million to the city.

Cruise ship passengers who start their trip for a port in Europe spend an average of €160 per day, while those who are just visiting for the day spend approximately €60, according to the European Cruise Council.

Meanwhile, the two day International Cruise Summit started in Madrid yesterday where an estimated 350 cruise industry professionals from around the globe will gather.