‘The Growth challenge ’ can be met, Royal Caribbean boss Stuart Leven tells Ian Taylor
Growth in travel shows no signs of slowing, meaning the challenge of ‘overtourism’ and congestion in popular resorts at certain times is likely to intensify.
Stuart Leven, Royal Caribbean’s UK and Ireland managing director and vice-president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, says: “There are pinch points, particularly in the Mediterranean – in places like Palma, Dubrovnik, Kusadasi, Santorini – where if several cruise ships arrive around the same time a destination can feel overcrowded.”
But he adds: “It has been recognised as a challenge and action is being taken.”
Leven will address the issue in a panel debate on ‘The Growth Challenge’ at Abta’s Travel Convention in October.
He says: “A good example is Dubrovnik where [representatives of] cruise lines met the mayor. He said they want cruise ships to come, but could we stagger the ships’ arrivals?”
Leven adds: “To run a successful line you have to offer the right environment when customers get off the ship and work in partnership with local authorities and tourism bodies. If you do that, you can relieve the pinch points.
“Cruise is an easy target because the ships are so visible and bring a lot of guests at once. But it’s not the only problem. There are destinations like Palma where there has been an increase in accommodation turned over to tourists. You can no longer count the number of hotel beds to calculate how many tourists there are because there is so much hidden accommodation.
“We’re constantly talking to destination partners and working with local authorities.
“Cruise lines are investing significant chunks of money in developing port infrastructure and changing how ships operate. The biggest part of what we do is developing port infrastructure. We have 12 port development projects in Europe, including in Lisbon, Malaga, Barcelona and Kotor.
“We’re also investing in our own destinations in the Caribbean – at Coco Cay in the Bahamas and on Haiti – and we have plans to continue.”
Leven accepts that taxes on tourists may be unavoidable in some destinations, saying: “There is taxation [on visitors] in the Balearics and Barcelona, and that is fine if it is going into investment. It has not had an impact on volumes going to the destinations.”
But he adds: “We’ve been in a buoyant holiday environment [when] small increases in price have not been felt. In a more difficult economic environment, small moves in price might be felt [by consumers].”
Leven says: “What is important is working with local governments for the benefit of the destination.” He adds: “The feedback we get is that destinations want cruise ships.”
Leven will join a Travel Convention panel which includes World Travel & Tourism Council president and chief executive Gloria Guevara and Abta director of destinations and sustainability Nikki White.
■ The Travel Convention 2018, October 8-10, Barceló Convention Centre, Seville: thetravelconvention.com