Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
The British cruise ship Arvia, which is owned by British company Arvia, docked today in Cadiz with 6,367 people on board as it’s final port of call before returning back to Southampton.
The vessel will arrive at 8am, departing at 5pm. This gives thousands of British tourists nine hours to explore historic centres, local markets, and cultural attractions.
Cadiz is now firmly established as a major cruise ship destination in southern Spain.
The ancient city is known to attract cruise ships from all over the world, but the UK is one of the top nations that visit.
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The arrival of the Arvia has been coordinated by local security and port authorities. Officials have warned residents that traffic will be increased near the port in the morning and afternoon.
The Muelle Alfonso XIII is specially equipped for handling large vessels such as the Arvia.
The passenger influx is a major contributor to the local economy. It fills the coffers for local restaurants, cafes, retail shops, buses, and taxis.
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According to Andalucia’s provincial authorities, a cruise ship passenger typically spends around €40 per day at each port, potentially generating over €250,000 for the local economy from today’s visit alone.
The economic benefits are not without a price, which many residents find too high.
The sheer volume of tourists can overwhelm historic landmarks, busy squares, and popular eateries, changing the character of the neighbourhoods. This makes life hard for the 100,000 residents of the city.
Local activist group Cadiz Resiste The overwhelming tourist inflow has been met with fierce opposition. Major protests have been organised throughout 2024-2025.
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The group claims tourists ‘are stealing our city, our neighbourhoods and businesses, and the very possibility of making a life in Cadiz.’
The most recent demonstration, on June 29, featured slogans such as ‘It’s not tourism, it’s colonialism!’ and ‘One more tourist, one less neighbour!’
The protests bring to light the harsh reality of Cadiz. It welcomed over 300 cruise calls in Cadiz last year, with almost 700,000 passengers.
As tourism continues to grow, with predictions for another record year in 2025 the tension between quality of life and economic opportunity isn’t going away.
The Olive Press has more news about Cadiz. Click here to see it.
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