Balearics cruise ship record

THE five ports registered in the Balearics with the National Ports Authority have broken their record for the number of visiting cruise ships. It is expected that by the end of the year, 700 stopovers will have been made, exceeding the 677 recorded in 2003. By 31 August this year, 588 cruise ships had called in to the Islands' five ports, carrying a total of 576'574 passengers. The Port of Palma had meanwhile broken its own record for any previous year with 460 visits, compared to 411 made throughout 2004 and the 429 which were made in 2003. Speaking yesterday at a City Tourism presentation promoted by Palma's Municipal Tourism Institute (IMTUR), a Ports Authority technical director said it was expected that the number of cruise passengers visiting the Majorcan capital would grow by five percent this year in proportion to the number of cruise ships mooring up. The positive growth trend of this form of tourism has persuaded IMTUR to set up a welcome reception for turistas azules (tourists who arrive from the blue). “The idea is simply to let cruise ship visitors to the Island “see very clear signals that they are most welcome,” said Tourism deputy, Francisca Bennassar. The project consists of mounting “towers” of about two metres high, showing images of the city that will attract tourists including monuments, businesses, restaurants, craftwork, etc.