“Cruise tourism represents one of the main development opportunities for our region, which, unfortunately, is not yet able to fully exploit its great tourist potential linked to its wonderful location in the center of the Mediterranean. In recent years, in fact, the cruise sector , although growing in other areas of Southern Italy, has seen our region still lag behind in this context. The time has now come to make the most of the opportunities that can put Calabria at the center as a new and privileged destination for cruise companies. To do this, you have to rethink and start again with a new strategy that must take into account the unexpressed potential of our region. According to data from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, “cruise tourism” in Italy is continuously expanding, with an increase in the number of passengers and an increase. of ships transiting the main Italian ports. However, Southern Italy, and in particular Calabria, has not yet reached its full potential in this sector, unlike other coastal regions”. This is what we read in a note from Fit Cisl Calabria,
“Calabria, an extraordinary region that possesses a unique natural and cultural heritage. The ports of Reggio Calabria, Vibo Marina, Crotone, Corigliano Calabro and Gioia Tauro represent – according to Fit Cisl Calabria – potential strategic points to also accommodate cruise ships, but so far, except for a few ports, they have not been sufficiently valorised, despite the “luck” of being on the main maritime routes of the Mediterranean. The valorisation of cruise tourism in Calabria can only be done without a vision integrated, which takes into account the expansion and modernization of infrastructures through the improvement of services (in some ports already defined, see Crotone), environmental sustainability and of course the valorisation of local resources. We need to continue with the modernization work of the ports with modern and low environmental impact structures, which can accommodate the new ships of the future.
We need to integrate cruise tourism with other transport services, we need a new local transport network: trains, buses, and rapid connections with various territories with high tourist attractions, ensuring that each cruise ship landing port becomes the starting point for a complete experience, which includes visits to archaeological sites, historic villages and museums, making known the local traditions of our territories”.
According to Fit Cisl “Calabria has the ability to attract cruise passengers not only for its natural beauty, but also for its cultural richness. To make Calabria a reference destination for cruise tourism, it is essential to “build” a synergistic network strong among the institutions and all stakeholders in the sector. A joint commitment is needed to develop modern and accessible infrastructures, strengthen reception services and promote the territory effectively. Another important aspect is to continue strengthening marketing policies for make Calabria known as a quality cruise region, through a diversified tourist offer. The “new” cruise tourism in our region must be promoted, leveraging our sea, our mountains, our gastronomic tradition, our villages. and on our historical cultural traction. As a trade union organization also by virtue of our experience in the sector, we are available to start a discussion in order to relaunch cruise tourism in our splendid and extraordinary region. To do this, a strategic vision is needed, which integrates sustainability, innovation, quality of services, and above all collaboration. Only through a coordinated and prospective approach will it be possible to attract more tourists, creating new economic development for the region and with new job opportunities”. For Fit Cisl Calabria “the time has come to chart a clear and defined route so that the Calabria should set sail again and become one of the main cruise destinations in the Mediterranean”.
