El turismo internacional supera el 50% de visitantes en Cartagena

The international tourism now represents more than 50% of urban visitors in Cartagena, and most of them arrive aboard cruises, as indicated by the mayor, Noelia Arroyo, during the presentation of the MedCruise General Assembly, which is taking place this week in the city after fifteen years without hosting this sector meeting.

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«During this time, our figures have quadrupled,» Arroyo recalled. According to municipal data, the city’s museums have gone from receiving 270,000 annual visitors to over 580,000, and the Port of Cultures network has reached 231,493 visitors in the first five months of the year, a 2.2% increase compared to the same period in 2024. In May alone, there was a growth of 13.9%, with 66,581 visits.

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The mayor has linked the tourism boom to the direct impact of cruises, which bring around a quarter of a million visitors per year. «This growth keeps tourism alive throughout the year, even outside of the peak season,» she said, emphasizing the role of cruise lines in the city’s external projection.

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The MedCruise Assembly gathers in Cartagena the main responsible for cruise tourism in the Mediterranean. The mayor has noted that this year, the National Hoteliers Congress will also be held in Cartagena and highlighted the importance of Cartagena being the venue for important professional meetings where decisions about the future of tourist destinations are made.

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The presentation event, on Tuesday, June 10, took place at the Roman Theater with the participation of the president of the Port Authority, Pedro Pablo Hernández; the vice president of MedCruise, Anne Marie Spinozi; and the general director of the Institute of Tourism of the Region of Murcia (Itrem), Juan Francisco Martínez. For Arroyo, it is an opportunity to showcase to industry professionals a city with direct access from the port to the historic center, an adapted and accessible museum network, and a growing offering of cultural and heritage activities.

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The president of the Port Authority emphasized that «the 66th MedCruise General Assembly brings together over 150 industry professionals, including 26 cruise company executives and influential figures in the industry. During these days, Cartagena will be the center of debate and the creation of new strategic alliances for the future of the sector.»

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The MedCruise vice president, Anne Marie Spinozi, highlighted Cartagena as a cruise destination, «a city marked by the sea that has connected cultures, promoted progress, and welcomed visitors with a two-millennia legacy» and the Port of Cartagena «as one of the oldest and most vibrant ports in the Mediterranean. Today, that legacy represents a port with a modern gateway to the history of cruises and their passengers, combining cutting-edge infrastructure and an unforgettable cultural heritage.»

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Coinciding with the assembly, the City Council and the Port Authority have organized the «Cartagena Cruise Days», a publicly open program that, between Friday and Sunday, will include the II Street Food Festival with live music, craft market, gastronomy, and shows.

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Arroyo thanked the Port Authority and MedCruise for choosing Cartagena as the venue for the assembly. «We want cruise lines to maintain and increase their trust in our city,» she concluded.

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