Brazil’s 2022/2023 cruise season is entering its final stretch, consolidating itself as the largest in the last ten years, with an estimated 650,000 to 700,000 embarking passengers, more than four times higher than the previous season had fewer ships and a shorter sailing period.
According to the Brazilian Cruise Ship Association (Clia Brasil), the current season, which ends in April, generated about 48,000 jobs, bringing an economic impact of approximately R$3.6 billion (US$720 million), a growth of 240% compared to 2021/2022.
The value encompasses both direct, indirect, and induced expenses of the shipping companies and the costs of cruisers and crew members.
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 calls at 17 destinations, including Buenos Aires, Montevideo and Punta del Este, which returned to the 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 from 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 he celebrates advances and achievements this season, the best of the decade, with the doors open for the next, which should be the biggest in 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, and the business environment in Brazil, as well as investments in sustainability towards the goal of reducing carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 and zeroing them by 2050, among other things,” he said in a statement.
THE 2023/2024 SEASON
For the 2023/2024 season, expected to have navigation from October to May, the sector has positive perspectives, with the expectation of offering 840,000 beds, a 6% growth concerning the current season, and injecting about R$3.9 billion (US$780 million) into the Brazilian economy.
According to Clia Brasil, there will be nine ships, but with greater capacity.
Among the news is the confirmation of Paranaguá (PR) as the port of embarkation and the possibility of debuting destinations in Santa Catarina, with test calls in Penha and São Francisco do Sul, besides the longer-term work to make other cities, such as Vitória, feasible.
Next season will also have 35 long-haul ships, which will make stops in 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 receive the ships,” said Marco Ferraz.
With information from Agência Brasil