‍The Port of Las Palmas is preparing to become a major gathering point for the international cruise industry as it hosts Seatrade Cruise Med. For the first time, the Las Palmas Port Authority will welcome this prestigious event at one of its own facilities, providing a strategic opportunity to showcase the strengths of its ports and reinforce its position as a leading hub in the Mid-Atlantic.

The event will bring together cruise lines, port authorities, tourist destinations, logistics operators, service providers and specialist media. It will create new business opportunities, facilitate the exchange of knowledge and foster partnerships with some of the industry's leading stakeholders.

Seatrade Cruise Med will also serve as an exceptional showcase for the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the Canary Islands as a whole. Hosting the event will provide an opportunity to present the archipelago as a competitive, well-connected destination fully equipped to meet the demands of an increasingly sophisticated global cruise market.

The event comes at a particularly positive time for the cruise sector. The Las Palmas Port Authority welcomed 2.1 million cruise passengers in 2025 and expects this figure to increase by between 18% and 20% in 2026.

Growth is not only reflected in passenger numbers. An increasing number of cruise lines are selecting the Port of Las Palmas as a homeport, while cruise calls outside the traditional peak season continue to rise. This trend is helping to reduce seasonality and sustain the economic benefits generated by cruise tourism throughout the year.

The arrival of new cruise lines and the growing presence of premium brands also stand out. This particularly demanding market segment places great value on high-quality infrastructure, operational efficiency, security and the destination's tourism offering. The resulting growth has a direct economic impact on Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, benefiting local retailers, restaurants, transport operators and service companies.

Although the Port of Las Palmas is a multipurpose port with major activities including bunkering, ship repair and cargo operations, cruising has become one of its key strategic sectors. Port of Las Palmas The Port Authority currently ranks as Spain's second-largest cruise port authority, a position that reflects its ability to serve the world's leading cruise lines.

This commitment has been reinforced through the renovation of the cruise terminals in Las Palmas, Arrecife and Puerto del Rosario, all managed by Global Ports Canary Islands.

The new Las Palmas Cruise Port terminal represents one of the most significant infrastructure projects for the future of cruise tourism in the Mid-Atlantic. Covering approximately 14,000 square metres across two levels, it features passenger boarding bridges and the capacity to accommodate up to four cruise ships simultaneously.

With an investment exceeding €40 million, the project strengthens the port's competitiveness and reinforces its role as one of the main drivers of maritime tourism in the Atlantic.

Ultimately, hosting Seatrade Cruise Med represents a golden opportunity to raise the international profile of the Canary Islands' ports. Through the joint efforts of the Port Authority, the City Council, the Island Council and the Government of the Canary Islands, the destination will be promoted as a whole, further consolidating Las Palmas as a strategic gateway linking Europe, Africa and the Americas.

Website: https://www.palmasport.es/es/