Cruise & Cruise Line

Barcelona Received Record Number of Cruise Passengers in 2018

Image: Barcelona at night (photo via kanuman / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Image: Barcelona at night (photo via kanuman / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Janeen Christoff
by Janeen Christoff
Last updated: 12:55 AM ET, Wed February 6, 2019

According to recently released 2018 figures on cruise port traffic in Barcelona, the Spanish city had a record-breaking year.

The Port of Barcelona reported a total of 4.4 million passengers last year, an increase of 8.6 percent, says a recent article in Hosteltur.

Three million of these passengers were cruise passengers, an increase of 12 percent over the previous year.

One of the factors driving the increase in traffic was a rise in off-season passengers, which rose 17 percent. Traffic reports also show that there was a rise in the number of passengers using Barcelona as a base port, which grew approximately 16 percent.

It is likely that the city, already a hub for many travelers visiting Europe, will see even more increases in visitation in the coming year. A new tourism campaign will be rolled out in the coming months that plays a part in Barcelona's 2020 Strategic Tourism Plan.

The new campaign will be developed with the input of multiple sources, including businesses, big data experts, academic institutions and local government with the goal of guaranteeing the sustainability of the city while also encouraging tourism and promoting destination management.


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

More From TravelPulse

Related Videos

Grow Your Travel Business With Certified Courses

Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Puerto Vallarta Specialist ProgramEnveloped in the beauty of a by-gone time, this colorful town on Mexico’s Pacific Coast is sure to win...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Costa Rica Specialist ProgramCosta Rica Specialist Program academy ENROLL NOW Costa Rica offers golden shores, fish-filled waters,...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Korea Travel Specialist ProgramThis course will allow you to explore this fascinating country's incredible diversity of experiences...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Puerto Vallarta Specialist ProgramEnveloped in the beauty of a by-gone time, this colorful town on Mexico’s Pacific Coast is sure to win...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Costa Rica Specialist ProgramCosta Rica Specialist Program academy ENROLL NOW Costa Rica offers golden shores, fish-filled waters,...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Korea Travel Specialist ProgramThis course will allow you to explore this fascinating country's incredible diversity of experiences...

Don't Miss These Travel Agent Events and Trainings

Watch Now!
Understanding Expedition Cruising: What Sets It Apart and How to Sell ItWednesday, June 3, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join National Geographic–Lindblad Expeditions for an engaging webinar designed to help you better...
Upcoming Webinar
Discover KLM Royal Dutch AirlinesThursday, June 4, 2026
2:00pm ET
Join Travel Weekly and Air France-KLM for deep dive into the world of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. You’ll...
Upcoming Webinar
Unveiling Oceania Cruises’ New Voyages, Plus Caribbean GetawaysWednesday, June 10, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
This exclusive webinar will showcase what’s new, what’s next, and how these immersive itineraries are...
Watch Now!
Understanding Expedition Cruising: What Sets It Apart and How to Sell ItWednesday, June 3, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join National Geographic–Lindblad Expeditions for an engaging webinar designed to help you better...
Upcoming Webinar
Discover KLM Royal Dutch AirlinesThursday, June 4, 2026
2:00pm ET
Join Travel Weekly and Air France-KLM for deep dive into the world of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. You’ll...
Upcoming Webinar
Unveiling Oceania Cruises’ New Voyages, Plus Caribbean GetawaysWednesday, June 10, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
This exclusive webinar will showcase what’s new, what’s next, and how these immersive itineraries are...