A stunning Spanish medieval city with golden sands and ancient history is ‘struggling to cope’ after a whopping 13,000 cruise ship tourists descended on it in one day.
Often hailed as a ‘hidden gem’ Cadiz, an ancient port city in the Andalucia region, was thrown into chaos as an unprecedented 13,000 tourists from three massive cruise ships descended on the area.
Cadiz, situated on the southwestern coast of Spain, boasts a rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture, and miles of pristine beaches. The town’s historical significance, coupled with its vibrant local atmosphere, makes it an ideal retreat for those seeking an authentic Spanish experience.
Recently Cadiz has started to become a popular tourist destination as holidaymakers flock to enjoy the beautiful blue flag beach and the historic old town which is dotted with quaint restaurants serving fresh produce.
With its cobblestone streets, ancient churches and plazas, Cádiz’s city centre was swelled by 50 percent as hordes of sightseers took over the usually unspoilt spot.
The three cruise ships that disrupted the city were Aida Stella, Norwegian Viva, and MSC Virtuosa who offloaded a combined total of 12,743 passengers.
According to local media a fourth vessel, Queen Anne, also planned to visit on the same day but cancelled at the last minute.
And now protesters from the local campaign group Cádiz Resiste claim the sheer number of visitors is destroying the city. The group’s mission is to “recover Cadiz for the residents.”
After a meeting attended by 2,000 angry residents, Resiste issued a statement saying: “They (tourists) are stealing our city, our neighbourhoods and businesses, the very possibility of making a life in Cádiz.”
SurEnglish reports the provincial authorities in Andalucía said on average a cruise ship passenger spends around €40 (£34.41) per day in each port they visit, however that can rise to €200 (£172) if they are at one location for several days.
In September, more cruise ships are expected to dock in Cadiz, as the city struggles to balance tourism with preserving its cultural heritage and local life.
Compared to 18 cruise ships in July, there are expected to be around 34 ships docking in September, more than the 23 scheduled for August.
In a bid to address environmental issues, MSC Euribia made history earlier this year as the first cruise ship to dock in Cadiz using Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) fuel.
