In the last decade, the world demand for tourist cruises has registered one of the biggest growths of the tourism sector, as well as the increasing number of countries that include cruises as a key product for their tourism development, according to the World Tourism Organization (WTO).

The Port of Las Palmas, occupied the third port in Spain with 1.1 million tourists aboard on 524 cruise ships, being the first port of the Canary Islands In this segment with a quota of 31% with respect to all entrances by cruise ships in the year 2016.

These data allow Gran Canaria, through the Port of Las Palmas, to consolidate itself as a tourist destination that satisfies the customers who visit it “for its combination of good climate, closeness, safety and economic stability, according to the market study elaborated By the Government of the Canary Islands in the 2014-2015 season.

The most visited places in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria are Las Canteras Beach, El Muelle Shopping Center, Parque Santa Catalina, Vegueta quarter and the commercial areas of Triana and Mesa y López. Teror, Arucas, Bandama and Playa del Inglés are the tourist attractions preferred by cruise passangers outside the capital.

Every year, the number of international shipping companies is increasing that includes in their crossings the Canary Islands as ports of call and even as a base port, which increases the overnight stays in the hotels in the city where it is located the port of departure or arrival, as in the specific case of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

A few days ago, the Port of Las Palmas hosted the Norwegian Epic cruise ship belonging to the Norwegian Cruise Line. This vessel of 329 meters of length, is among the five largest of the world in its category. Among its characteristics stands out its total capacity, which is estimated at 4,700 cruisers. To meet all their demands, the crew is composed of 1,700 people.

In this last visit of the vessel, more than 4,500 visitors from 62 different nationalities came to Gran Canaria, mainly from the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, Canada and Australia; They all took advantage of the day to stroll through the streets in search of shopping or just sightseeing, as well as taking advantage of the summer day to get to know the beach of Las Canteras and the Island.

The fact that a Norwegian shipping company has chosen Gran Canaria is not a  coincidence, according to PROMOTUR data, in 2016 1,375,576 Nordic tourists arrived in the Canary Islands (Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland), of which 807,706 came to Gran Canaria, that is, 58.72% of registered Nordic tourists.

The number of cruise ships this season is not yet available, but will certainly increase the number of tourists of Nordic origin in this segment, which is currently dominated by tourists of English and German origin, as the Norwegian Spirit also makes a stopover in Las Palmas of Gran Canaria.

Pictures from LPA Visit and Las Palmas Port Authority