“It was a huge success, it has always been a huge success. We started Lisbon-Lisbon when we started the office, 15 years ago, – in fact, this year, we completed 15 years, we are to be congratulated in that sense – but it has been a success especially because in the last two years the operation has increased”, explained the executive in a report by Publituris.
Eduardo Cabrita recalled that, for the first time, in 2024 these cruises with embarkation and disembarkation in Lisbon took place between April and October, for a total of 21 trips, in an operation that will remain similar in 2025.
“Next year, we will maintain the operation, it will be a new ship, the Música, that will do the itinerary, and it will be in the same range as the one we currently have, the Orquestra”, indicated the person in charge.
Italy was, according to Eduardo Cabrita, the main source market for cruises departing and arriving in Lisbon, followed by “the Scandinavian countries, especially Germany, then France and Spain”, while the participation of Portuguese passengers was between 15% and 18%, as on trips from Funchal.
“On Portuguese cruises, in total, Funchal and Lisbon, we are within 15% or 18%”, he added, explaining that, on cruises departing and arriving in the Portuguese capital, the American market represented around 5% or 7% of the total number of passengers.
Only a few weeks ago, the Mayor of Lisbon stated that these cruise ships add next to nothing, to the economy of the capital. If that is so, then it is questionable that these modern eyesores, moored up against the historic architecture of the city, are really worth that compromise.
The all inclusive nature of cruise holidays means that these tourists only clog up the streets for the sake of a wander round and a coffee.
By Steve from Algarve on 28 Oct 2024, 11:00