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October 30, 2024

The seventh edition of the Adriatic Sea Forum took place on October 24 and 25, 2024, in Ravenna, Italy. This international event, dedicated to maritime tourism in the Adriatic, was conceived and organized by Risposte Turismo in partnership with the Port Authority of the Northern Adriatic Sea.

Held in the picturesque settings of the Dante Alighieri Theatre and the Palazzo Rasponi dalle Teste, the forum attracted over 200 participants and approximately 40 speakers representing the seven countries bordering the Adriatic, along with France and Germany, to discuss trends and developments in maritime tourism across more than 150 tourist destinations in 25 regions.

After the presentation of the new edition of the Adriatic Sea Tourism Report, a research report by Risposte Turismo that has analyzed maritime tourist flows, dimensions, nature, and trends in the Adriatic for over ten years, the forum included numerous discussions on central themes for the present and future of maritime tourism in the area. Topics included the use of alternative fuels for greater sustainability in maritime traffic, the evolution of cruise tourism, the impact of public policies on maritime tourism, extending the tourist season beyond summer, and new nautical itineraries and destinations.

During these discussions, the sustainability challenges for maritime traffic development were examined, along with measures introduced so far and future developments. They analyzed actions needed to increase the Adriatic’s competitiveness, expected quantitative and qualitative results in the coming years, the role of public administrations in maritime tourism, and challenges destinations face in extending the tourist season. Key elements that could lead to growth and new ideas for seaside vacations were also explored.

Among the topics addressed at the Adriatic Sea Forum 2024 were the value of cruises on small to medium-sized ships, potential competition between ferries and airplanes, new collaboration opportunities between states through the Interreg Italy-Croatia 2021-2027 Programme, the maritime economy in Emilia-Romagna and the Adriatic coast, and the appeal of the maritime tourism sector for young people entering the workforce.

An analysis provided by Risposte Turismo during the forum indicated a moderate growth in the number of cruise passengers and ferry tourists, along with new investments leading to significant future development for all components of maritime tourism in the Adriatic.

Specifically, for the cruise segment, early estimates from the research company led by Francesco di Cesare suggest that by 2025, over 5.1 million passengers (embarkations, disembarkations, and transits) will be handled at Adriatic ports, reflecting a 3.9% increase from 2024. Risposte Turismo’s forecasts also indicate a growth in the number of ship calls (+5.8%), totaling over 3,400. Italy and Croatia will continue to rank at the top in terms of passenger numbers, with 2 million and 1,390 ship calls, respectively. Notably, in ten years, despite a similar number of cruise passengers (4.8 million in 2015 vs. 4.9 million in 2024), the concentration of traffic has significantly changed. In 2015, the ports of Venice, Dubrovnik, and Corfu accounted for 64% of traffic, a figure that has since halved, demonstrating an improvement in the distribution of flows among Adriatic ports and new balances following regulations affecting Venice.

The ranking of Adriatic ports will see Corfu in first place, handling over 700,000 passengers and more than 380 ship calls, followed by Kotor with over 600,000 passengers and 485 ship calls, a record in the Adriatic. Dubrovnik follows with 560,000 passengers. Notable growth in passenger numbers is seen at Pula (+155% to 3,000 passengers), Igoumenitsa (+67% to 7,000), and Brindisi (+42% to 104,000). Additionally, the Albanian port of Sarandë is expected to see significant growth, with projections of around 70,000 passengers in 2025 (+260% from 2024). The Montenegrin port of Bar will also exceed 145,000 passengers (+203% from 2024).

In the ferry and hydrofoil segment, Croatia is expected to rank first by the end of the year, handling approximately 69% of passengers in the area, primarily due to the performance of Split and Zadar. Greece will follow, with ports like Igoumenitsa, Corfu, and Patras accounting for over 5 million passengers on international routes within the Adriatic, marking a 2.5% increase from 2023. Italy will retain its third-place position, exceeding 3 million passengers, with Brindisi seeing the highest positive change, surpassing 660,000 passengers for the first time.

Finally, regarding yachting, the mapping of marinas conducted by Risposte Turismo has identified 344 facilities, three more than in the previous edition of the Adriatic Sea Tourism Report. This includes the new Airport Marina Tivat on the Montenegrin coast in the second half of 2023, as well as the new Marina Drage and Marina Resort Cavtat on the Croatian coast this year. Italy reaffirms its leadership with 192 facilities and over 49,200 berths, ahead of Croatia with 126 marinas and nearly 21,300 berths, and Montenegro with 9 tourist ports and 3,750 berths. Overall, Italy and Croatia host 93% of the facilities identified by Risposte Turismo and 87.5% of the total berths in the Adriatic, which this year has exceeded 80,000 moorings for the first time.

Finally, considering yacht charter, according to operators surveyed by Risposte Turismo, the market appears to have slowed down after a significant post-pandemic recovery. Approximately 78% of respondents indicated that the 2024 season is expected to decline compared to 2023 in terms of the number of clients, while 72% cited a decrease in the economic value generated.

The seventh edition of the Adriatic Sea Forum was undoubtedly an important opportunity for learning and dialogue among all stakeholders in the cruise, ferry, and yachting sectors interested in understanding the current situation, trends, and prospects of maritime tourism in the area. The choice of location, Ravenna, was influenced by the city’s commitment in recent years to focus on sea tourism as a growth driver, with significant investments. Indeed, stakeholders have been working for some time on revitalizing the cruise sector and a yachting industry that represents a hallmark of the region, with a constant focus on the environment and sustainability, which has become an essential element of any growth strategy for port activities. In this context, the project for a cold ironing system at the passenger terminal allows ships to turn off their diesel engines while docked, yielding evident environmental benefits, along with the creation of the Dune Park in Porto Corsini and the construction of a new maritime station, one of the most eco-sustainable in the sector.

Among the new infrastructures to be built in the Adriatic area are, in addition to the previously mentioned projects, the inauguration of the second maritime station in Bari and the construction of a cruise terminal in Marghera, scheduled for completion by 2028. In the eastern Adriatic coast, construction will soon begin in Slovenia for a new cruise terminal at the port of Koper, expected to be ready by spring 2025.

Regarding yachting, investments totaling over 190 million euros are anticipated between 2024 and 2026, involving the inauguration of new marinas and the expansion of existing facilities. Notable projects include the Vlora Marina in Vlorë, Albania, with 438 berths set to open in 2025, and Porto Baroš Marina in Rijeka, Croatia, with approximately 230 berths planned for 2026. As for expansions, the marinas at Skrivena Luka on the Croatian island of Lastovo and Marina Korkyra on the Croatian island of Korčula are expected to gain 10 and 45 new berths, respectively, by 2025. In Italy, within the next two years, increases in berths are anticipated at Marina Fiorita in Venice (50 berths), Darsena Le Saline in Chioggia (20 berths), Marco Carani Nautica in Brindisi (100 berths), and the Porto Turistico di Rodi Garganico in Foggia (40 berths).

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Gabriele Bassi

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