Cruise ship tourism leaves 256 million euros in the Balearic Islands and maintains almost 6,000 jobs

Cruise ship tourism leaves 256 million euros in the Balearic Islands and maintains almost 6,000 jobs

Palma

14/11/2017

Cruise ships have an economic impact of 256 million on the economy of the Balearic Islands, which amounts to 1.04% of the Gross Added Value (GAV) and maintains 5,733 direct and indirect jobs. This data is taken from the preview of the economic impact analysis on cruise ships in the Balearic Islands presented this morning by the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB).

The APB commissioned this analysis with the collaboration of the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Chamber of Commerce of Mallorca and the Balearic Institute of Social Studies (IBES). It is an analysis covering the period from 2005-2016 and closing with the information gathered until September 2017 and which considers the main actors of cruise ship activity, that is, cruise passengers, crew, shipping companies and consignees, data relating to investments and airport activity.

According to the president of the APB, Joan Gual de Torrella, the conclusion from this study is the diversifying and redistributive effect of the wealth this sector generates on our community, and also the level of influence cruise ship tourists have with regards to the destination, where 95% of those surveyed would recommend the Balearic Islands to their friends and family.

According to Gual, this study contributes rigour above “emotion” and highlights that there are figures “that would not be produced if there were no cruises” and gave the example that every stopover generates over half a million euros at the destination.

Increased spending per passenger

According to the economic impact analysis, the average spend per cruise passenger and day is €72 for the cruise passenger in transit, and €155 if we focus on the home-port cruise passenger. It should be noted that the expenditure of any other type of tourist in the Balearic Islands amounted to €112.90, according to data from EGATUR in 2015.

In terms of ports, the Port of Palma has the largest impact as it is the only home port in the Balearic Islands.  The figures gathered for this port stand at 224 million euros. It is followed by Ibiza with 25 million, Mahon with 6.5, and finally, the Port of Alcudia with 125,000 euros

The direct impact per passenger in transit is 62.6 million, while the home-port cruise passenger represents spending of 28.4 million. The expenditure of the crew on these ships is no less representative, as they take advantage of the stops to go shopping at the destination. The analysis sets the ship workforce expenditure at 14 million euros.

The sectors that benefit most from this economic activity are accommodation in tourist establishments for home-port cruises, and shopping and bars and restaurants for cruise ships in transit.

Asides from the president of the APB, in attendance at the presentation were Francesc Sastre, Professor of Applied Economics at the UIB, Catalina Barceló, director of Studies at the Chamber of Commerce of Mallorca, and Gonzalo Adán, Director of the Balearic Institute of Social Studies (IBES).

(Further information in Related files)