Palma Cruis€ N€ws

economic impact of the giant ships

The first ever Balearic Cruise Forum took place yesterday at Palma's Chamber of Commerce and gave everyone involved in Government, tourism, commerce and the cruise lines themselves the opportunity to discuss the economic impact of the giant ships arriving in ports such as Palma.

The President of the Balearic Government, Jose Ramon Bauza, was there and defended the liberalisation of shopping hours in Palma by stating that the thousands of passengers arriving on a cruise should not find the city closed for business!

The giant vessels are terribly important to the local economy as the recent sinking of the Costa Concordia demonstrates. The ship paid a visit to Palma every Tuesday and its sinking meant the loss of 13 visits, 39,000 tourists and about €2.9 million.

Published 10 February 2012 Stephen White.