Cruise passengers are growing in the port of Civitavecchia

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The first four months of the year confirm the growth forecasts of cruise passengers in the port of Civitavecchia. From January to April 2024, the movement of passengers in the airport reached 444,050 units, which include both transits (253,900) and embarkations and disembarkations (190,150). These numbers correspond to an increase of 19%, compared to the same period last year.

The greatest increase was that of the transit sector, which stands at a growth of 35%, compared to the same period of 2023. According to estimates by Roma Cruise Terminal (Rct), the concessionaire of the cruise activity in Civitavecchia (whose the members are Costa Crociere, MSC and Royal Caribbean), in 2024 the 3.3 million passengers registered last year might be exceeded.

Authorities and students involved

The data were presented by the president of the Port System Authority of the central-northern Tyrrhenian Sea, Pino Musolino, and by the general director of Rct, John Portelli. To the ADSP numbers were added those of a survey research carried out by a group of students from the Baccelli technical and economic institute, led by the teacher Mauro Adamo, on the impact, a decidedly positive result, of cruise tourism on bed & breakfasts, parks & cruise and restaurants in Civitavecchia.

The majority of survey participants clarified that they decided to start their own business due to the presence of cruise passengers. The interviewees also state that the majority of their customers, over 80% for hotels and almost 100% for car parks, are actually passengers. For their part, the restaurateurs specified that a percentage between 50 and 70% of customers, both at lunch and dinner, are cruise passengers.

Economic impact of 24 million

As regards the future, 78% of B&B operators, 71% of car park managers and 79% of restaurant operators confirm that the prospects are positive or very positive. The estimated economic impact, from these three segments alone, is equal to almost 24 million euros and, we read in the report, “confirms the centrality of the cruise sector in the local territorial economy”. To continue improving the offer to cruise passengers in 2024, Rct, Portelli recalled, has started the first phase of the project for the new Donato Bramante terminal, which involved eight local companies.