By
Alice Chambers |
Taranto Cruise Port in Italy received 54 calls and 1,100,000 passengers in 2022, marking a significant increase in both numbers compared to the 2021 season.
Taranto welcomed 26 more cruise ship calls and 35 per cent more passengers (28,500 people) than the previous year. The port hosted nine maiden calls and reported that MSC Cruises was its most regular visitor overall.
The port’s 2023 season will begin on 9 May with the arrival of Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Constellation, which will be followed by 40 more calls from seven different cruise lines.
This year, Taranto Cruise Port will receive five more maiden calls with a total of 110,000 guests in 2023.
One new visitor will be Costa Cruises’ Costa Pacifica, which will call at Taranto 19 times between June and October. It will use the terminal on the west quay of the San Cataldo Pier which is currently being expanded.
“We are pleased with the results of 2022 and are ready to welcome the opportunities that 2023 holds for us, including the turnaround operations for the Costa Cruises, which is a new guest to Taranto Cruise Port,” said Raffaella Del Prete, general manager of Taranto Cruise Port. “We are confident that thanks to the know-how of Global Ports Holding, of which Taranto Cruise Port is a branch, and the collaboration with the municipality and the port authority, 2023 will mark another successful season.
“The image of Taranto in the cruise panorama grows and this is an important opportunity to show the renowned beauties of the destination to the travel industry, together with the wide range of services and the operational capabilities with which we are equipped.”
Taranto Cruise Port’s reputation as a cruise destination has also improved, having hosted several cruise events such as Italian Cruise Day on 20 January. Speakers present at the conference included delegates from the port, the Council for Tourism, the Port Network authority of the Ionian Sea, Risposte Turismo and the municipality of Taranto.
“The role of Taranto within the cruise industry has been growing, thanks to the numerous calls of 2022 and to the opportunities offered by the Italian Cruise Day, when it comes to territorial marketing,” said Rinaldo Melucci, mayor of Taranto, at Italian Cruise Day. “Today, we announce this perspective that sees the municipality alongside the Port Network Authority of the Ionian Sea and next to the operators who believe in this challenge, which aims to change the future of a city that finally cultivates its tourist vocation. As we have in the past, we will offer our skills and services to make the experience of cruise passengers unforgettable.”