Spain is the recipient of one in three jobs that the cruise industry creates in Europe, this according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). During 2015 the activity related to cruises created 3.457 new jobs in Spain, 12,1% more jobs than in the previous year.
In Spain, the number of jobs generated by the cruise sector is estimated at 28.576 jobs. If we move it to Europe in 2015 the cruise industry has created more than 10.000 new jobs, employing 360.571 people.
Following up with CLIA semi-annual data the average tourist expenditure in Spanish ports is 80 euros per day, at the port of shipment, and 62 euros at the ports of destination. LThe crew spends an average of 23 euros on each stopover.
An estimated 466.000 Spaniards traveled by cruise last year. 75% of local tourists choose routes in the Mediterranean. For next year the figures and forecasts are optimistic since The economic indicators speak of a growth in Spain of 2,6% this year 2016 and 2,3% in 2017.
On the other hand, and given these figures and others that welcome the recovery and reactivation of the cruise sector, the Socialist Party in Melilla wants to open a training school for cruise ship crews, since according to the PSOE candidate for Congress, Sabrina Moh, "it is currently difficult to get the training and internships that professionals who want to work on cruise ships need."
The Socialists propose to facilitate the students the hours of practices by including them in maritime navigation contracts, on the boats that link the city of Melilla with Malaga and Almería, or by reaching an agreement with the company that makes the line between Melilla and Motril. This training would be approved by the Ministry of Development, through the General Directorate of the Merchant Marine.