The Port of Barcelona contributes 2% to Catalonia's GDP, encompassing various types of vessels beyond just cruise ships, including ferries and cargo ships, reports CatalanNews. In comparison, Tarragona's port activity is smaller due to its size. This year, Tarragona expects 98,000 cruise passengers from 55 cruise liners to visit.
According to a 2023 report by the University of Barcelona in collaboration with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the economic impact of cruise activity in Catalonia amounted to €1.083 billion in 2016, a significant increase from €796 million in 2014, considering both direct and indirect spending. Additionally, the sector supported 9,056 jobs in 2016, compared to 6,759 jobs in 2014.
Even if some cruise passengers do not spend much money on land, they are still subject to the tourist tax. In Barcelona, the current rate is €5.75 per day, which will increase to €6.25 next year. The UB and CLIA study estimated that in 2023, cruise passengers would contribute 13% of the total taxes collected by the local council, despite accounting for only 4.1% of the overall visitors to Barcelona in 2019.
While the cruise industry brings significant income, it also contributes to pollution, raising environmental concerns. Greenhouse gas emissions, waste disposal, and the impact on marine life and ecosystems are among the industry's most significant challenges. In 2019, Barcelona was identified as Europe's most polluted city due to cruise ships, according to a report from the Brussels-based NGO Transport & Environment. The report revealed that cruise ships emitted 2-5 times more pollutant gasses than passenger cars in Barcelona in 2017. With approximately 100 mega cruise liners arriving that year, the pollution caused exceeded the capacity of the city's 550,000 registered private vehicles.
Local activists and politicians also express grievances about thousands of passengers disembarking and temporarily overwhelming the city without making substantial contributions to the local economy.
According to a 2023 report by the University of Barcelona in collaboration with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the economic impact of cruise activity in Catalonia amounted to €1.083 billion in 2016, a significant increase from €796 million in 2014, considering both direct and indirect spending. Additionally, the sector supported 9,056 jobs in 2016, compared to 6,759 jobs in 2014.
Even if some cruise passengers do not spend much money on land, they are still subject to the tourist tax. In Barcelona, the current rate is €5.75 per day, which will increase to €6.25 next year. The UB and CLIA study estimated that in 2023, cruise passengers would contribute 13% of the total taxes collected by the local council, despite accounting for only 4.1% of the overall visitors to Barcelona in 2019.
While the cruise industry brings significant income, it also contributes to pollution, raising environmental concerns. Greenhouse gas emissions, waste disposal, and the impact on marine life and ecosystems are among the industry's most significant challenges. In 2019, Barcelona was identified as Europe's most polluted city due to cruise ships, according to a report from the Brussels-based NGO Transport & Environment. The report revealed that cruise ships emitted 2-5 times more pollutant gasses than passenger cars in Barcelona in 2017. With approximately 100 mega cruise liners arriving that year, the pollution caused exceeded the capacity of the city's 550,000 registered private vehicles.
Local activists and politicians also express grievances about thousands of passengers disembarking and temporarily overwhelming the city without making substantial contributions to the local economy.