Cruise and Ferry Review - Summer/Spring 2020

2 5 1 After a 150% increase in tourists in 2019, Haifa Port expects to break its all-time record with further growth by 2021 A fter promising signs in 2018, expectations were that 2019 would be a turning point for Haifa Port. As the leading port in Israel and the only one equipped to support homeport operations, Haifa is an attractive prospect for cruise lines operating eastern Mediterranean itineraries with calls in Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and Israel. These expectations were more than met by the 71,500 visitors that the port welcomed last year, rising from 27,800 in 2018. Zohar Rom, head of cruises and tourism for the Haifa Port Company, highlights the range of excursion opportunities as a reason for the port’s success. “Israel is rich with sites of historical significance, and the penetration rates are some of the highest in the world,” he says. “In 2019, several of the cruise lines visiting Haifa Port had more than 75% of their guests taking excursions. Itineraries that included an overnight in Haifa Port allow guests to visit northern Israel, the Jordan River, Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee. Our partnership with Miami-based Access Cruise has resulted in the increase we’re seeing. Haifa is a short overnight sail from Limassol, Cyprus, so our collaboration with DP World Limassol has also been beneficial.” By 2021, the port expects that passenger numbers will jump to 170,000 per year, while over 220,000 Israelis will pass through its terminal to cruise with Mano Shipping and MSC Cruises. Rom is optimistic about the port’s future. “We’re always looking for ways to improve the experience at Haifa Port,” he says. “In 2021, we’re adding another 450 metres of cruise berth at the foot of the magnificent Baha’i Gardens. This will allow us to accommodate the biggest cruise ships, and we’ll be able to welcome four vessels in the cruise area. Facial recognition and other technologies have been added in the terminal to speed the immigration clearance process and we’re very pleased with the results. The industry is experiencing explosive growth and we’re always looking for ways to meet the demands. We’re excited about the future.” CFR MEDITERRANEAN: REPORT Turning point Haifa Port Company is planning to add 450 metres of cruise berth to accommodate the biggest ships