Cruise tourism in Tenerife is booming, and this sector is also thriving and expected to remain buoyant in the other Canary Islands.
Forecasts indicate that this sector will experience significant growth in the coming winter season. This form of tourism magnetism offers significant benefits to port towns and to local commerce and commerce. Of course, climate is a determining factor in taking a cruise to a subtropical region.
While cruise tourism brings significant benefits, it also faces environmental issues, such as the impact of cruise ships on the environment and the crowding and congestion that tourism can bring locally. It is important for port cities to strike a balance between maximising its benefits and managing its negative aspects.
On the rise
The Canary Islands are an ideal place for tourists, especially those arriving on cruise ships. The climate, terraces, events, visits, outdoor activities and gastronomic offerings abound. Not surprisingly, this sector’s prospects point to an increase compared to previous years.
Cruise tourism is clearly on the rise after an economically murderous corona pandemic. Bookings are currently 40-50 per cent higher compared to 2019, the year before the massive blockade by the COVID-19 infections, thus exceeding all expectations.
Figures
The port authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife expects that by 2023, over 630 cruise ships will have docked. The remaining months will see the arrival of 192 cruise ships in Santa Cruz, 36 in La Gomera, four in El Hierro and 87 in La Palma.
If we compare Puertos de Tenerife‘s current figures with those for 2021 up to and including September, we see a registration of 458,770 passengers. In the same period of 2022, 483,839 passengers by cruise ship arrived in the islands. So this is growth that indicates – in line with Puertos del Estado forecasts – that 2023 will bring even more cruise passengers ashore.
Eastern province
This year’s outlook for ports in Las Palmas province is also very optimistic and in line with cruise industry estimates worldwide. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) expects to beat the pre-pandemic figures with a 20 per cent increase.
The rise in cruise passengers is also due to an increase in the number of sailings. In the case of the port of Lanzarote, the number of stopovers will rise to 244 compared to 232 before the COVID pandemic, while the port of Fuerteventura will register 122, up from 88 in 2019.
MSC
Nationally, companies in the sector have also seen growth in passenger numbers and turnover. Such as Italian-Swiss MSC, one of the world’s largest cruise lines, which expects 40-50% growth compared to 2019.
Projections for MSC’s passenger volume in 2023 will be record-breaking, with 80% of the company’s total volume expected to be achieved during the summer season. The high season in the Mediterranean will be extended from May to October, which then also helps to reduce seasonality.
Guy Devos © Photography
Cruise Tourism in Tenerife is Booming ©
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