CLIA: Anti-cruise demos could cause itinerary changes in Europe
The European chief of cruise trade body CLIA has warned that member cruise lines may have to skip some of Europe’s top cruise destinations to protect cruise ship guests.
It comes as protests against overtourism in numerous cities have ramped up demonstrations against the cruise industry.
These include Barcelona, Norway, Brittany in France and the Spanish Canary Islands as well as cruise ship restrictions already in place in Venice and Barcelona.
In Barcelona, local protestors have even been squirting tourists with water pistols, while protestors held a hunger strike earlier this year.
“There will be some consideration of adapting the itineraries if we feel that all passengers will not be well-treated,” said Marie-Caroline Laurent, European director of the CLIA.
The Cruise Lines International Association acknowledged cruise ship itineraries may have to be revised if guest safety cannot be assured.
Barcelona’s Mayor recently said the city is close to breaking point regarding cruise ship visits.
The CLIA responded by saying cruise guests only make up about 4% of visitors.
Recently, the Greek Prime Minister said he will impose restrictions on the number of ship visits to the popular islands of Santorini and Mykonos.
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