City of Alicante - Spain “Alicante Maritime Station, a Gateway to the Historical Centre” INDEX

City of Alicante - Spain “Alicante Maritime Station, a gateway to the Historical Centre” INDEX

1. Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………………….2 1.1 Synopsis ………………………………..…………………………………………………………………3 1.2 CTUR ’s Partners ……………………………………………………………………………………6 1.3 Work methodology and activities ………………………………………………….7 1.4 Local Support Group ……………………………………………………………………………8

2. The city of Alicante ………………………………………………………………………………11 2.1 History ………………………………………………………………………………………………………12 2.2 Key Features of the city and the port …………………………………………14 2.3 Updated Context (Plan Racha, Port of Alicante, Tourism)…16

3. The Local Action Plan …………………………………………………………………………27

4. Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………………………………….57

1 1. INTRODUCTION

2 1.1 SYNOPSIS Cruise Traffic And Urban Regeneration ( CTUR)

URBACT is a European exchange and learning programme aimed at promoting sustainable urban development. It comprises 300 cities, 29 countries, and 5,000 active participants. URBACT is jointly financed by the European Union (European Regional Development Fund) and the Member States. It enables cities to work together to develop solutions to major urban challenges, and thereby it plays a key role in addressing increasingly complex social challenges. It helps cities to develop pragmatic solutions that are innovative, sustainable, and that integrate economic, social and environmental dimensions. URBACT enables its members to: share good practices and benefit from the lessons that may be learned from professionals involved in urban policy making throughout Europe. The topic « Cruise traffic and urban regeneration - CTUR » focuses on the study of sustainable development of port cities. Cruise tourism involves the city and the port, and has close links with urban tourism. The flow of persons generated by cruise tourism depends on the quality of the city’s cultural offerings.

3 In the past years, many port cities have focused on the development of cultural facilities of national or international importance. The Guggenheim museum in Bilbao is a good example of this well marked tendency. The urban-port heritage contributes favourably to the identity of a place and represents a new alternative for visitors. For some cities (Naples, Barcelona, Amsterdam, etc.), the presence of an exceptional « historical » urban heritage helps to establish their reputation as a tourist destination.

However, other cities find it more challenging to bring out artistic and cultural interest in their built environment. For these cities, the solution is to add value to the industrial and port heritage. The warehouses and docksides represent opportunities to revitalize and diversify commercial facilities in the heart of the city. By encouraging the location of up market specialist shops in an environment with a strong identity (built heritage and docks), a new kind of urban focal point has been created in many port cities today. After significant investment in the rehabilitation and refurbishment of the Historic Quarter and the Port area, our aim for the city of Alicante is to connect the cruise market and passengers to the Historic City Centre.

4 1.2 CTUR PARTNERS

NAPLES (Italy) ALICANTE (Spain) DUBLIN (Ireland) HELSINKI (Finland) LEIXÕES PORT AUTHORITY (Portugal) MATOSINHOS (Portugal) NAPLES PORTAUTHORITY (Italy) RHODES (Greece) ROSTOCK (Germany) TRIESTE (Italy) VALENCIA (Spain) VARNA (Bulgaria) ISTANBUL – o.p. (Turkey) AIVP (International Association of Cities and Ports)

6 1.3 WORK METHODOLOGY AND ACTIVITIES

From January 2009 to July 2011, the network organized 9 seminars: one Kick-off meeting, six thematic workshops on ‘the integrated approach’ and main topics, one Steering Committee and a Final Conference. The Steering Committee will take part in two Annual International Thematic Conferences (2010-2011) on selected topics of specific relevance to all partners in the framework of the CTUR Project. The Thematic Conferences will be promoted by the International Association of Cities and Ports (AIVP) and the URBACT Secretariat with the cooperation of CTUR Thematic Network.

7 1.4 LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP

An Urbact Local Support Group (ULSG) is organised and supported by each partner through a series of meetings at local level. Thus, the ULSGs take part in: the design and follow up of the Local Action plan; identification and validation of network inputs; participation in exchanges; reporting back to the other stakeholders, and involving and/or informing the associated Managing Authorities. Each partner develops its own Local Action Plan (LAP) as a result of the exchange and learning activities and the output of its participation in the network. The LAPs will be a result of shared work between partners and their Local Support Group.

8 Alicante Local Support Group

SURNAME NAME ORGANIZATION LEVEL POSITION Email CITY COUNTRY

CONSELLERIA DE INFRAESTRUCTURA Y TRANSPORTE GENERAL FERRER ISMAEL REGIONAL [email protected] VALENCIA SPAIN /REGIONAL MINISTRY MANAGER OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT

CITY OF [email protected] JIMÉNEZ CÉSAR OFICINA RIVA MANAGER VALENCIA SPAIN VALENCIA

CITY OF CABEZA MIGUEL HOUSING DEPARTMENT COUNCIL miguel.cabeza@alicante-ayto.es ALICANTE SPAIN ALICANTE

CITY OF MAYOR GASPAR HOUSING DEPARTMENT MANAGER [email protected] ALICANTE SPAIN ALICANTE

CITY OF GARCÍA-ROMEU MARTA TOURISM DEPARTMENT COUNCIL [email protected] ALICANTE SPAIN ALICANTE

PORT OF MARKETING BAUTISTA MÓNICA PORT AUTHORITY [email protected] ALICANTE SPAIN ALICANTE DIRECTOR

9 Alicante Local Support Group II (Technical)

SURNAME NAME ORGANIZATION LEVEL POSITION Email CITY COUNTRY

CITY OF [email protected] GALBIS MARTA RIVA OFFICE ARCHITECT VALENCIA SPAIN VALENCIA

HOUSING CITY OF RIPOLL Mª TERESA COORDINATOR [email protected] ALICANTE SPAIN DEPARTMENT ALICANTE

CITY OF HOUSING EXTERNAL PRIETO SARA ALICANTE [email protected] ALICANTE SPAIN DEPARTMENT RELATIONS

CITY OF HOUSING COUNCIL [email protected] MUÑOZ GEMA ALICANTE ALICANTE SPAIN DEPARTMENT ASSISTANCE

TOURISM ALCARAZ RAQUEL CITY OF TOURISM DEP. [email protected] ALICANTE SPAIN DEPARTMENT ALICANTE

TOURISM DÍAZ EDNA CITY OF TOURISM DEP. [email protected] ALICANTE SPAIN DEPARTMENT ALICANTE

PORT OF CRUISES DIVISION [email protected] SPAIN LÓPEZ LUIS PORT ATHORITY ALICANTE ALICANTE MANAGER

10 2. THE CITY OF ALICANTE

11 2.1 HISTORY

Origins Alicante is a city with over 3000 years of history, as revealed by the earliest archaeological remains found at the Cova del Fum cave in Fontcalent, which date from the third millennium BC.The earliest inhabited settlements were found on the hillside of Mount Benacantil, where there is believed to have been an Iberian population. The earliest town as such dates back to the 4th century BC which is when Tossal de Manises, first became home to the Ibero-Roman colony of Lucentum.

The Moorish Conquest After the Roman era came the Moorish conquest, when the colony was relocated to the slopes of Mount Benacantil for defensive reasons, creating the Vila Vella or Old Town.

The Reconquest In 1247, when the town was captured, for the Kingdom of Castille by the Infante Alfonso, who was to become King Alfonso X, The Wise, it came to be known as Vila Nova, or the New Town.In 1249, King Jaime II incorporated the town of Alicante into the Kingdom of Valencia and then two centuries later, in 1490, Ferdinand the Catholic King granted Alicante the status of city.

12 19th Century

In the 19th century progress arrived in the city with shape of the Alicante-Madrid railway, the installation of street lighting and the new town planning regulations, which would eliminate the walls and create new neighbourhoods.

In the 20th century the bonfire celebrations known as the Hogueras de San Juan, which have been officially declared as of Interest to International Tourism, were bornThen, the University was opened and in 1993 the city was selected as the headquarters of the European Office of Harmonisation for the Internal Market (OHIM), the EU's largest independent agency.

13 2.2 KEY FEATURES OF THE CITY AND THE PORT

The city of Alicante, located on the south east coast of Spain, is a favourite Spanish destination. The population of the city of Alicante proper was 335.459, estimated as of 2010, ranking as the second-largest in Valencia Region. It has excellent communication links with the rest of Spain and Europe, thanks to its international airport. Alicante city has experienced significant development over the last 15 years. The Historic Quarter has been revitalised and restored with all its monumental and cultural heritage. We have now diversified our tourism offerings to include different options: architecture, monuments, museums, regional cuisine and local handicrafts.

14 The Port of Alicante is only a one night voyage from the principal Spanish Ports of the Mediterranean: Barcelona, Malaga and the Balearic Islands. Alicante Port, like the city, has grown significantly during the last 10 years. In 2003 cruise traffic in Alicante increased by 43.9% from 2002. Many meetings and initiatives have taken place to support cruise tourism. There is a new Maritime Station which is equipped to meet diverse cruise ship requirements, enabling simultaneous disembarkations with gangways and fingers for very big cruise liners. The Port is well integrated into the city, offering passengers the possibility to visit the different tourist attractions by foot.

Coordinates: 38º20’13’’ N, 0º29’19’’ W

15 2.3 UPDATED CONTEXT

PLAN RACHA (Rehabilitation of the Historical Centre)

Since 1992, when the first agreement was signed between the City of Alicante and the Valencia Region regarding the Architectural Plans for the Rehabilitation of the Historical Centre of Alicante, the Housing Department has been in charge of regenerating the historic district from the following perspectives: urban planning, architecture and social initiatives. A further similar agreement was signed in 1997. All these initiatives have been reviewed by the archaeology department, and explanatory display boards are now located at important landmarks around the historical centre.

PLAN RACHA OBJECTIVES

Social Objectives

• To improve the quality of life for the residents. • To avoid social impoverishment. • To attract new citizens. • To equip the area with new services and facilities. • To foster cooperation with social organizations.

16 Urban Planning Objectives

• To connect and integrate the Historical Centre with the surrounding urban fabric and the rest of the city. • To improve access to the Historical Centre. • To improve public spaces. • To improve and renew urban communications facilities (LAN connections)

Architectonic Objectives

• To preserve and restore the historical heritage and monuments. • Rehabilitation of residential buildings. • To promote private enterprise in the rehabilitation of residents’ houses and the relocation of business in this area. • To establish a standard of quality through public enterprise, and thereby develop a benchmark for future projects or initiatives.

17 Mount Benacantil Walls Investment: 1.015.711 € City Hall Extension Investment: 6.527.796 €

Ereta Park - Mount Benacantil Investment: 10.869.250 Euros

21 Asegurada Museum Extension Investment: 9.939.825 €

23 PORT OF ALICANTE

The number of cruise passengers destined for Alicante has increased consistently, reaching approximately 100.000 in 2009, with the exception of 2010, when a small decline was recorded, with the number of cruise passengers to Alicante reaching approximately 76.000. The Port of Alicante had 47 port calls and 75,911 passengers in 2010. The average passenger expenditure per port call was €45 and the busiest months for cruises in Alicante were from March to October. Over the last year, the Port of Alicante has stepped up its marketing initiatives with the major cruise liners and the resulting indications of these efforts are very positive: The port of Alicante expects to receive more than 50 vessel calls and to surpass for the first time 100.000 cruise passengers in the 2011 season. The main attraction of the port of Alicante is its excellent infrastructure and berth capacity. Works have been completed to improve the bollards of the berth installations at the cruise terminal which will enable the mooring of any type of cruise liner .

24 Also, the Maritime Station benefits from great versatility, with a capacity to welcome over 3,000 passengers. The aims of the Port of Alicante for the next year are the following: to consolidate the port within the international cruise environment; to increase the number of vessel calls and Mediterranean routes boarding in Alicante. To achieve these objectives the number of excursions on offer must be increased and cruise passengers must enjoy a pleasant stay and have the opportunity to visit the many attractions on offer in Alicante city.

25 CRUISE TOURISM IN ALICANTE

Our finest attraction as a tourist destination for Cruise Market is the pedestrian access to the historical city tours, where visitors can enjoy the rich cultural heritage and gastronomic variety. All this, only a 15 minute walk form the Maritime Station and the warm Mediterranean climate (18º C annual average temperature and 3.000 sun hours per year) makes Alicante a very pleasant all year round tourist attraction. Alicante has great expectations with the introduction of the high speed train (the AVE) which will be operating by the end of 2012. Madrid will be less than a two hour journey away from Alicante and this will improve Alicante’s competitiveness as a home port. Also the New Terminal Area of Alicante Airport (inaugurated on February 2011), finalising an ambitious modernisation process which has increased its capacity to 20 million passengers and puts it at the head of the main Mediterranean tourist airports. In general terms, the global demand for cruise tourism has doubled over the last ten years: Worldwide cruise tourism generated €14 billion, of which Spain received €1.1 million. Worldwide, Spain is the third destination on Mediterranean cruises with 4.1 million passengers in 2009 and Alicante is ranked in tenth place nationally .

26 3. THE LOCAL ACTION PLAN

27 CTUR LAP ALICANTE

GENERAL OBJECTIVE To establish a link between the city and the port.

28 CHALLENGES

• Reactivate and reuse the port area as a commercial and leisure zone. • To become a key part of the cruise network, given that Alicante is an attractive tourist destination. • To promote the Historic Quarter of Alicante to the cruise market as an interesting alternative for their excursions. • To establish a link between the city and the port. • To enhance the Historic Quarter and urban heritage. • Develop a marketing plan to promote the Historic Quarter to cruise liners and their clients, and for example, offer them different routes within the Historic Quarter that meet cruise passengers’ specific needs.

29 CTUR LAP ALICANTE - Introduction

Specific objective1 Specific objective 2 Specific objective 3

Enhancement of the Historic Optimisation of the city's Consolidation and Quarter and urban heritage attractiveness as a tourist improvement of existing links destination between city and port

• Action 1.1 • Action 2.1 • Action 3.1 Development of a visitor A specific programme Establishment of a centre in the Historic to welcome cruise permanent work force Quarter to welcome passengers to the city. between city and port. cruise passengers. • Action 3.2 • Action 1.2 Information and Development of different coordination of the routes in the Historic Alicante Local Action Quarter given the Plan. visitor’s time constraints and preferences (that is: museums, churches, gastronomy, handicrafts).

31 CTUR LAP ALICANTE

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE 1 Enhancement of the Historic Quarter and urban heritage

1.1. Cruise Passengers Visitor Centre : This public building was inaugurated in October 2010, and it’s located in the old town. The tourist routes will start from the Visitors Centre and there will be screens projecting information about tourism, official institutions, commerce and local heritage . Inside the Visitors Centre, there is a designated cruise passenger lounge. Cruise passengers will be transported here on a five minute bus journey from the port and will be able to take in the images of the different routes and activities on offer in the Historic Quarter shown on the different screens here. In the same lounge, brochures outlining the various routes in the Historic Quarter will be on display.

32 Our Local Support Group, in collaboration with the Tourist Guide Association in Alicante, is currently working on the design of a new brochure created specifically for the cruise market.

33 Cruise Passengers Visitor Centre

35 Cruise Passengers Visitor Centre

36 CTUR LAP ALICANTE

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE Enhancement of the Historic Quarter and urban heritage

1.2. Suggestion of different routes in the Historic Quarter, given visitors’ time constraints or personal preferences

• On-board promotion of the different routes available within the Historic Quarter. This will give an approximation of visitors numbers per route per day. Cultural routes Commercial and handcrafts routes Gastronomic routes

• Free routes for those passengers who want to visit the city by themselves. These routes are marked by signposts located throughout the Historic Quarter. • Distribution of our specific brochure for cruise passengers.

37 1. San Nicolás Co- cathedral Visitor Routes: Main Points Of Interest 2. Festa Museum 3. Portal Elche 9 7 4. Miró Square 5. Santa Cruz 5 8 6. Explanada Boulevard 7. City Walls 10 11 8. Ereta Park 12 9. Santa Bárbara 2 1 Castle 14 10. Water Museum 13 11. Gravina Museum of Fine Art 3 12. Santa María 6 Church 4 13. Beach

39 1. San Nicolás Co- cathedral 2. Festa Museum Visitor Route: Option 1 3. Portal Elche 4. Miró Square 9 7 5. Santa Cruz 6. Explanada 5 8 BUS Transfer Boulevard

Walk Tour 7. City Walls 8. Ereta Park 10 11 9. Santa Bárbara 12 Castle 10. Water Museum 2 1 14 11. Gravina Museum 13 of Fine Art 12. Santa María Church 3 6 13. Beach 4 14. Town Hall

40 1. San Nicolás Co- Visitor Route: Option 2 cathedral 2. Festa Museum 15 3. Portal Elche 4. Miró Square 17 16 5. Santa Cruz 6. Explanada 7. City Walls 8. Ereta Park 9. Santa Bárbara Castle 10. Water Museum 7 9 11. Gravina Museum 5 12. Santa María Church 8 13. Beach 10 11 2 14. Town Hall 1 12 13 14 15. MARQ BUS Transfer 3 16. Old Tobacco Factory Walk Tour 17. Bull Ring 4 6

41 CTUR LAP ALICANTE

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE 2 Improve cruise passenger tourist information

2.1. Development of a specific programme to welcome cruise passengers to the city . • Information about routes with specific brochures for the Historic Quarter. The Local Support Group is currently working on a new brochure with the collaboration of the Tourist Guide Association. • Reception at Cruise Terminal, which is also the location of the Tourist Information Office where a specific brochure for cruise passengers will be made available (Free Routes guided by signposts) and free transfer to the Visitor Centre.

42 Signpost: ‘Welcome To The Historic Quarter’

45 Signpost: ‘Where To Go’ In The Historic Quarter

46 Signpost: ‘Where Am I’ In the Historic Quarter

47 Cruise Friends Web Page

This is an initiative that we can also find in other port cities like Cartagena. When tourists intend to go on a cruise with a stop in Alicante, they can find out about the tourist offerings in the Historic Quarter in advance and find details and links to interesting websites, such as museums, theatres, cultural events and also the Alicante Town Hall Website.

The development of a Cruise Friends Web Page is an interesting project for our Local Support Group. In Cartagena, for example, there is a commitment between the public and private companies, which appear on the web page, and shops must remain open between cruise arrival and departure times. This web has specific information about museums, churches and other interesting buildings and their opening hours, commercial outlets, restaurants and other activities .

48 CTUR LAP ALICANTE

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE 3 Consolidation & Improvement of existing links between port and city

3.1. Extension and consolidation of the permanent Port & City workforce.

This must be formed by LSG Members co-ordinated by the Housing Department (Plan RACHA Office) and the Tourism and Port Authorities. Coordination currently only exists between the Port Authority and Tourism.

3.2. Local Action Plan.

The LSG has defined 3 key steps for the development of the Plan:

1. The Rehabilitation Office must indicate the historical monuments & commercial places of interest, which include specific routes from San Pascual. They will also advise on new developments. 2. The Tourism Department will develop different tourist packages, which will include guided and free routes. 3. The Port Authority will distribute these packages to their trade show contacts. Also it is very important to be aware of ‘port calls’ in advance in order to be ready for the cruise arrivals.

50 CTUR LAP ALICANTE: FINAL CONCLUSIONS

OBJECTIVES

• To connect the city to the port and the port to the city. • To improve customer satisfaction & loyalty to the cruise companies.

ADVANTAGES FOR THE CITY

• To improve the city’s image. • To improve financial returns on the public and private investments within the Historic Quarter by increasing tourist activities.

52 LAP ANNEXES

City of Alicante Alicante Maritime Station, a gateway to the Historical Center Objective 1: Revalue the Old Town and urban heritage Action 1.1: Development of a visitor centre in the Old Town to welcome cruise passengers

Responsible Financing secured Funding and Description of the (Institutions/Authorities in Estimated cost Legal/official planning framework (Potential funding programmes that specific LAP Action charge) already allocated) partners can apply for

This public building will Municipality of Alicante and 1.224.960 € Spanish Central Government “PLAN-E” 100% Fully funded by the include a visitors center Housing Department (estimated) Local Investment Fund for Employment Spanish Central for the old town, which Government will form the start of the • tourist routes, and there will be projections with information about tourism, official institutions, commercial and local heritage

Phase 1.1 COMPLETED Action 1.2: Development of different routes in the old town depending on time and preferences (museums, churches, gastronomy, handicrafts..)

On-board sales Municipality of Alicante 1. Signage: 42.000 Cultural Department, Municipality of 50% Municipality of development of (housing Dep. And Tourism Dep.) € aprox. Alicante Alicante (Culture Dep.) different routes within and Port Authority. 2. Routes (Legislature 2007 – 2011) and 50%Generalitat the old town. This will planning: No cost , Valenciana give an idea of visitors routes are already 2. Don ’t need funds numbers per route per done. day.

Phase 1.2 COMPLETED

53 Objective 2: Improve tourism attractiveness of the destination

Action 2.1: An specific programme to welcome cruise passengers to the city

Information about Municipality of Alicante 10.000 € aprox. Housing Department – Tourism Municipality of Alicante . previous routes with (Housing 10.000 € aprox. Department and Port Authority Port Authority specific brochures Dep. And Tourism Dep.) Agreement to submit and approve by (guided routes). Local Government (Legislature 2011 – Reception at Cruise 2015) Terminals where there exits a Tourist Information Office, with a specific brochure for passenger (Free Routes). Cruises Friend Web page

Specific new actions: 1. Mailings with Information about cruises arrivals with timetable and number of passengers. 2. We are working in a new brochure for cruises passengers. This must be an exclusive Old Town map. 3. Working on the new Cruises Friend Web Page

Phase 2.1 MAILINGS: PHASE 1 BROCHURE: PHASE 1 WEB PAGE: PHASE 1

54 Objective 3: Consolidation and improvement of existing links between city and port Action 3.1 : Establishment of a permanent work force between city and port Responsible Financing secured Funding and Description of the (Institutions/Authorities in Estimated cost Legal/official planning framework (Potential funding programmes that specific LAP Action charge) already allocated) partners can apply for This must be formed by LSG Members. Co- ordinated by Tourism, Since 2008 our LSG has been working Port Authority and Municipality of Alicante together to create our LAP, this year we Housing Dept. (Plan No cost. Don ’t need funds and Port Authority expect to reach an agreement between RACHA Office). Currently different bodies( Legislature 2011-2015) its only exists between the Port Authority and Tourism.

Phase 3.1 PHASE 2 Action 3.2: Information and coordination of the Alicante ’s Local Action Plan Responsible Financing secured Funding and Description of the (Institutions/Authorities in Estimated cost Legal/official planning framework (Potential funding programmes that specific LAP Action charge) already allocated) partners can apply for The LSG has defined 3 key steps for the development of the local action plan: 1. The Rehabilitation Office must point out the historical monuments & commercial points of interest, which include specific route from San Pascual. 2. Tourism will develop different tourist Municipality of Alicante and Legislature 2011-2015 Don ’t need funds packages, which will Port Authority include guided and free routes. 3. Port Authority will distribute these packages within their tradeshow contacts. Also it is very important to know beforehand the ‘portcalling stops ’ so that the heritage and commercial bodies can prepare themselves for the cruise arrivals. 1. COMPLETED Phase 2. WORKING ON IT 3. NEXT STEP

55 4. CONCLUSION

57 KEY PROBLEMS, CHALLENGES AND THEMATIC FOCUSES

The Port of Alicante is located in the centre of the bay, and it is the city’s facade to the sea. Alicante’s historical quarter is a ten minute walk from the Maritime Station, and it is a great place to visit, with its narrow pedestrianised streets lined with white houses, its very own shopping area, panoramic views from the castle of Santa Barbara and numerous other tourist attractions. Ten years ago, the City of Alicante realized the importance of developing its potential in the cruise market in order to attract tourists to the city. Consequently, the new Maritime Station was built 5 years ago. At the same time, the city’s Historic Quarter began its restoration and rehabilitation program. The main objective was to improve the city’s cultural heritage by restoring the monuments, museums, churches, castle, pedestrian areas, period buildings … Now, we need to connect the Maritime Station to the Historic Quarter.

They are only a ten minute walk from each other, but often the shopping opportunities are more attractive to visitors than the cultural ones!

58 POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPECTATIONS

The City of Alicante is committed to promoting the Port Area and, together with the Valencia Regional Government, has carried out a number of works to improve this area and the road connections in order to regenerate it as a commercial and leisure zone with a casino, hotels and restaurants that will help turn the city into an outstanding cruise port.

59 The recently built Maritime Station has been designed especially for cruise passengers and the companies and services involved in this type of tourism. All the necessary services are available for the major cruise liners crossing the Mediterranean. Just a 10 minute walk from the city centre, the Maritime Station can guarantee the maximum security required by international regulations. An undercover footbridge provides travellers with easy access from the boat to the terminal. Moreover, there is a shuttle service to the city. Since last year, the Port of Alicante has installed modern facilities: the new Fishing Dock; the extended Terminal of Containers; the Commercial Dock; the modern Cruise Terminal and a Zone for Logistic Activities.

60 The Volvo Ocean Race first departed from Alicante in October 2008, and the port was adapted to accommodate this prestigious global event on the sailing calendar. The Cruise Terminal now offers all modern services and facilities, making this an even more attractive destination for cruise passengers. Consequently, it is expected that the number of cruiser liners to Alicante will increase.

62 Gràcies

Contact email www.urbact.eu/ctur