The 2022/2023 cruise season enters its final stretch, consolidating itself as the biggest in the last 10 years, with an estimated 650,000 to 700,000 passengers embarked, more than four times higher than the previous season, which had fewer ships and less navigation period.
According to the Brazilian Association of Maritime Cruises (Clia Brasil), the current season, which ends in April, generated around 48,000 jobs, bringing an economic impact of approximately R$ 3.6 billion, growth of 240% compared to 2021/2022 . The value includes both direct, indirect and induced expenses of shipping companies, as well as expenses of cruise passengers and crew.
The ships Costa Firenze, Costa Fortuna, Costa Favolosa, MSC Armonia, MSC Fantasia, MSC Musica, MSC Preziosa, MSC Seashore and MSC Seaview form the group of nine cabotage vessels that departed from the ports of Itajaí (SC), Maceió (AL) , Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Salvador (BA) and Santos (SP), with stopovers in 17 destinations, including Buenos Aires, Montevideo and Punta del Este, which returned to routes after a period of restrictions.
According to Clia Brasil, the 2022/2023 season also marked the return of Brazil to the route of important shipping companies around the world, with 35 long-haul ships making stops in 45 destinations located in 15 states, such as Amazonas, Bahia, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, among others.
The president of Clia Brasil, Marco Ferraz, said that he celebrates advances and achievements in this season, the biggest of the decade, with the doors open for the next one, which should be the biggest of the last 11 years.
“We are working hard for the present and the future of the sector, and this includes the search for new destinations, with some already confirmed for 2023/2024, improvements in infrastructure, costs, the business environment in Brazil, as well as investments in sustainability towards goal of reducing carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 and zeroing them by 2050, among other things,” he said in a note.
Season 2023/2024
For the 2023/2024 season, scheduled for navigation from October to May, the sector has positive prospects, with the expectation of offering 840,000 beds, a 6% growth compared to the current season, and injecting around R$ 3.9 billion for the Brazilian economy.
According to CLIA Brasil, there will be nine ships, as in 2022/2023, but with greater capacity. Among the novelties is the confirmation of Paranaguá (PR) as the port of departure, in addition to the possibility of debuting destinations in Santa Catarina, with test stops in Penha and São Francisco do Sul, in addition to the long-term work to make other cities such as Victoria.
The next season will also have 35 long-haul ships, which will stop at 47 destinations in 15 states, such as Amapá, Amazonas, Pará, Maranhão, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Pernambuco, Alagoas, Bahia, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul.
“Our focus is that the cruise industry continues to grow, positively impacting the country’s economy, the entire community involved in our activity, the entire tourism chain, such as travel agencies, tour operators, hotels, gastronomy, attractions, among others, in addition to the destinations that the ships receive”, said Marco Ferraz.
