Sustainability and innovation take center stage at Spanish ports in FITUR
The new Strategic Framework of the Spanish state-owned port system, recently approved, sets the course for the short-term transformation of Spanish ports: more sustainable, connected, and innovative.
January 18, 2023 (Public Body Puertos del Estado). The Spanish port system, coordinated by Puertos del Estado and composed of 28 Port Authorities, which in turn manage 46 state-owned ports, participates in the International Tourism Fair, FITUR, held in Madrid from January 18 to 22. The aim is to promote port facilities and services for cruise and sports nautical tourism.
As usual, we participate in a stand alongside the Ministry of Transport, Mobility, and Urban Agenda (Mitma), which, in this edition, carries the slogan "Mobility gives you life," in line with the Mobility, Safe, Sustainable, and Connected 2030 Strategy, guiding the Ministry's actions in transport and mobility for the next ten years.
After two years marked by the pandemic and once the restrictions imposed in the most critical phase have been lifted, the recovery of cruise passenger traffic has been decisive in 2022, with movement close to 8 million cruise passengers - pending end-of-year data. It is expected that in 2023, these figures will match the historical record of 2019, when over 10.6 million cruise passengers were registered, positioning Spain as the second-largest cruise destination in Europe, after Italy, with emphasis on the ports of Barcelona and the Balearic Islands.
BLUE CARPET: 'WE WELCOME YOU AS YOU DESERVE'
FITUR is the perfect opportunity to continue advancing in the cruise industry, a sector of vital importance for Spain, manifesting with figures of approximately €6 billion in turnover, a contribution to the national GDP of over €2.8 billion, and employment generation with more than 50,000 jobs.
These advances are linked to the quality of first-rate port services and infrastructure, giving our country an excellent international positioning and prestige. Thus, 'Blue Carpet' represents the 'Alfombra Azul' and the hallmark of Spanish ports, with the slogan, 'Blue Carpet: We welcome you as you deserve,' to offer the best cultural experience to tourists arriving in our country by sea.
In this edition, we will present this Friday in the 'Fitur Cruise' space in hall 10, the presentation 'A Cruiser in Spanish Ports: The Experience Begins Here,' to bring to tourism professionals the experience of what a cruise traveler can expect at Spanish ports from three perspectives: facilities, sustainability, and digitalization-innovation with a practical approach.
SUSTAINABLE, CONNECTED, AND INNOVATIVE PORTS: THE CHALLENGE OF THE NEW STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
In this regard, it is important to highlight the commitment of Spanish ports to sustainability, as envisaged in the new Strategic Framework of the Spanish state-owned port system, guiding the short-term transformation of Spanish ports in economic, environmental, and social dimensions. These new challenges are addressed through specific projects aimed at promoting decarbonization, such as the OPS program for the supply of electricity to ships docked on land, the use of alternative fuels, advances in digitization and innovation, and the promotion of full integration of ports with the cities that host them.
Also, one of the objectives of the Spanish port system is to reduce by 2030 70% of the carbon footprint of port authorities and 50% of the overall port community, compared to 2019 levels.
SPORTS NAUTICS MAINTAINS STABILITY
Sports and recreational nautics are also of great importance to the Spanish economy. With a total of 300,000 moorings nationwide, this industry contributes about 0.7% of the national GDP and generates more than 110,000 jobs.
The year 2022 closed with 5,847 registrations, maintaining stability throughout the year, according to data from the National Association of Nautical Companies (ANEN).