The cruise industry has further consolidated its position as a significant economic contributor to the Ligurian region, according to findings presented by the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority during a workshop held at Palazzo San Giorgio in Genoa.
The study, examining activity across Genoa and Savona, provides a detailed assessment of employment generation and value creation linked to cruise operations.
Conducted by PTS under scientific coordination, the analysis identifies the cruise sector as an integrated economic system combining tourism, shipbuilding and refitting, and technological innovation, thereby reinforcing the position of the Ligurian ports within both the Italian and wider Mediterranean cruise markets.
In 2025, the sector generated an overall economic impact of approximately EUR 346 million across the two ports. Of this total, EUR 255 million, representing 73%, was attributed to turnaround operations, while EUR 91 million, or 27%, derived from transit activity. Passenger expenditure accounted for EUR 157 million, with cruise lines contributing a further EUR 189 million. Direct employment linked to cruise services was estimated at around 2,700 positions within the port system.
The study indicates that homeport operations continue to represent the highest value-added segment, driven by extended passenger stays and increased use of local services. A complementary operational balance between the two ports has been identified, with Savona handling a greater proportion of homeport traffic, while Genoa processes a higher share of transit passengers. This distribution supports the development of a diversified port system capable of serving multiple market segments while maximizing economic return.
Passenger spending patterns further underline this distinction, with total expenditure estimated at EUR 100 million in Genoa and EUR 57.3 million in Savona. Average spending per turnaround passenger was calculated at EUR 90.7, compared with EUR 44.3 for transit passengers. Cruise line expenditure, exceeding EUR 134 million in Genoa and EUR 55 million in Savona, was largely concentrated in homeport operations, accounting for more than 80% of total outlays related to technical services, terminal operations, security and provisioning.
Survey data also reflected a high level of passenger satisfaction, with more than four-fifths of respondents indicating that they had formed a positive impression of the destination and would consider returning, suggesting that Liguria’s port cities function not only as transit points but as destinations in their own right.
At a global level, the findings align with broader industry trends, with cruise passenger numbers reaching 33.7 million in 2025 and projections indicating continued expansion in fleet capacity and berth availability over the coming decade.
The study also identifies the sector’s role in advancing maritime innovation and environmental performance. A growing proportion of new vessels are equipped with alternative propulsion systems, including LNG and emerging fuels such as methanol and biofuels, while investment in shore power infrastructure reflects a transition toward reduced emissions in port operations.
Looking ahead, the report outlines continued growth potential, supported by an orderbook of new vessels and increasing diversification in cruise demand. This expansion is expected to sustain associated industries, including shipbuilding and refitting, sectors in which Genoa maintains a leading position within the Mediterranean maritime economy.