The CLIA European Cruise Summit, scheduled for March 2027 in Alicante, represents a strategic opportunity to solidify the province's position as a cruise tourism destination. The involved administrations and entities, led by the Port Authority, have already held preparatory meetings for the city's bid and plan further discussions to coordinate promotional actions for attendees.
The congress will bring together executives from major cruise lines, political and port officials, tourism authorities, and representatives from the European and global maritime sector in Alicante. Participants will stay in the city for three to four nights, from March 8th to 11th. A program of parallel activities is being developed to showcase Alicante's tourist attractions, such as the Santa Bárbara Castle, and those of other provincial municipalities, with potential visits to Elche and Orihuela.
The primary goal is to convince cruise company members of the diverse interests offered by the city and province to secure future calls at the Pier 14 terminal, whether for transit or embarkation, thereby encouraging overnight stays for passengers. CLIA sources have highlighted Alicante's continuous growth within the Spanish cruise ecosystem, surpassing 230,000 cruise passengers by the end of 2025 and expecting to exceed 250,000 in 2026, with a 20% increase in scheduled calls.
The conferences and working sessions will take place at the Auditorium of the Provincial Council of Alicante (Adda), the preferred venue for the CLIA delegation due to its proximity to hotels and the availability of multiple rooms for simultaneous sessions. Coordination of promotional activities, transport, and congress signage will be managed by the Port, the Municipal Tourism Board, the Costa Blanca Tourism Board, and the association Alicante Costa Blanca Turismo y Cruceros (ACBTC), with collaboration agreements anticipated.
This CLIA summit follows the annual congress of the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), scheduled for May 2027, positioning Alicante as a hub for international tourism events. Both events are expected to generate significant economic impact and enhance the province's international profile.
