Cruise activity at the Port of Barcelona generates turnover of € 800 M

Cruise activity in Barcelona generates total turnover of € 796 million and contributes € 413.2 million a year to Catalonia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to the results of a study commissioned by the Port of Barcelona and conducted by the University of Barcelona's AQRLab Laboratory of Applied Economics in collaboration with Barcelona Tourism.

The study, presented yesterday, reveals that direct expenditure arising from cruise activities amounted to € 442.5 million a year, split between three main spending agents: shipping companies (121.2 million), cruise passengers (315.8 million) and crews (5.5 million). This initial expenditure generates an indirect and induced turnover of € 353.5 million, which puts the total turnover of the cruise activity at € 796 million.

The report also highlights that the volume of activity represents a contribution of € 413.2 million to Catalonia's GDP and maintains 6,759 jobs. It also generates tax income of € 152 million in State and regional taxes and in tourist tax.

Barcelona is the main beneficiary of this activity, since 75% of the total effect stays in Barcelona (a € 313.4 million contribution to GDP and 5,039 jobs in absolute terms).

To make these figures easier to understand, the study explains that the arrival of cruise ships at the Port of Barcelona entails a daily turnover of € 2.2 million in Catalonia (€ 1.7 million of which in the city of Barcelona). In other words, every cruise ship that stops over in the Port of Barcelona generates, on average, a total turnover of one million euros; it contributes half a million euros to Catalan GDP and maintains nine jobs (seven of which in Barcelona).

​​​​​