Cruise ships would bring “positive economic profits” to Playa Blanca

A survey by Puertos Canarios states that the arrival of cruise ships at Playa Blanca would bring “positive economic profits”. With just 20 stopovers a year, the survey claims that around one million Euros would be left in Playa Blanca.

The survey, commissioned by Yaiza Ayuntamiento, claims that Playa Blanca’s dock “would suit the docking of luxury cruise ships, which are usually around 250 metres long”. These ships are smaller than the immense “floating hotels” that dock at Arrecife and are aimed at a more exclusive type of tourism.

Sources used by the study indicate that the expenditure per cruise passenger amounts to almost €1,000 on a base port stopover and €150 euros on a transit stopover. This is spent on excursions (44 percent), shopping (36 percent) and catering (15 percent). Playa Blanca would be likely to be a transit stopover. 

The survey also identifies the Canaries as a growth market for cruises, and claims Playa Blanca could appeal to cruise passengers with visits to places such as La Geria, El Golfo or, the Timanfaya National Park. Water sports and restaurants are also singled out as an attraction of the resort.