Connectivity and sustainability: Key aspects of Puertos del Estado’s presence at Fitur
- Over 41 million passengers passed through Spanish ports in 2024.
- MSC and Puertos del Estado will host the round table discussion “The Importance of Connectivity to Ports for a Better Cruise Experience” on Wednesday, January 22, at 1 p.m.
January 21, 2025 (Puertos del Estado) – Puertos del Estado and the Spanish port system will participate in Fitur 2025 as a key element in Spain’s tourism strategy, demonstrating a strong commitment to advancing economic, environmental, and social connectivity and sustainability.
From January 22 to 26, at the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility’s stand in Pavilion 10, Puertos del Estado will showcase its port facilities and services for cruise tourism and recreational boating. The slogan “We Welcome You as You Deserve” reflects the port sector’s dedication to adding value to Spain’s most significant economic sector.
In 2024, over 41 million passengers passed through Spanish ports, including more than 12 million cruise passengers. The cruise industry has a significant economic impact, not only on port cities but across Spain. According to the "Study on the Economic Impact of Ports of General Interest on the Spanish Economy," conducted by Puertos del Estado, cruise-related activities contributed €6.4 billion to production, approximately €3.2 billion to national GDP, and generated around 52,000 jobs in 2023.
“Destination Spain” remains a top attraction for cruise lines that select Spanish ports as home ports or stopovers. This appeal is bolstered by state-of-the-art infrastructure and high-quality services at ports of general interest, which form the first impression for tourists arriving by sea. Additionally, the ease of access to ports for tourists is critical. This topic will be discussed during the event organized by MSC and Puertos del Estado at the stand on Wednesday, January 22, at 1 p.m., under the title “The Importance of Connectivity to Ports for a Better Cruise Experience.” The session will feature Álvaro Rodríguez Dapena, President of Puertos del Estado; Fernando Pacheco, General Manager of MSC in Spain; José Luis Román, Director of Interurban Mobility at Avanza; Félix Martín, Manager of Intermodality at Renfe; and Guillermo Castrillo, Director of Strategy and Sustainability at Iryo.
On Friday, January 24, at 11 a.m., social sustainability will take center stage at the Puertos del Estado stand with the presentation of Mercy Ships, an international NGO that operates hospital ships providing high-quality medical care to people with limited access in developing countries. This presentation will be led by Gerardo Vangioni, CEO of Mercy Ships, and introduced by Jaime Luezas, Head of the Community Services Area at Puertos del Estado.