City of Alicante - Spain
“Alicante Maritime Station, a gateway to the Historical Centre”
INDEX
1. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………….2
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
Synopsis………………………………..…………………………………………………………………3
CTUR’s Partners……………………………………………………………………………………6
Work methodology and activities………………………………………………….7
Local Support Group……………………………………………………………………………8
2. The city of Alicante………………………………………………………………………………11
2.1 History………………………………………………………………………………………………………12
2.2 Key Features of the city and the port…………………………………………14
2.3 Updated Context (Plan Racha, Port of Alicante, Tourism)…16
3. The Local Action Plan…………………………………………………………………………27
4. Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………………….57
1
1.
INTRODUCTION
2
1.1 SYNOPSIS
Cruise Traffic And Urban Regeneration ( CTUR)
URBACT is a European exchange and learning programme aimed at promoting
sustainable urban development.
It comprises 300 cities, 29 countries, and 5,000 active participants. URBACT is
jointly financed by the European Union (European Regional Development Fund)
and the Member States.
It enables cities to work together to develop solutions to major urban challenges,
and thereby it plays a key role in addressing increasingly complex social
challenges. It helps cities to develop pragmatic solutions that are innovative,
sustainable, and that integrate economic, social and environmental dimensions.
URBACT enables its members to: share good practices and benefit from the
lessons that may be learned from professionals involved in urban policy making
throughout Europe.
The topic « Cruise traffic and urban regeneration - CTUR » focuses on the study
of sustainable development of port cities. Cruise tourism involves the city and the
port, and has close links with urban tourism. The flow of persons generated by
cruise tourism depends on the quality of the city’s cultural offerings.
3
In the past years, many port cities have focused on the development of
cultural facilities of national or international importance.
The Guggenheim
museum in Bilbao is a good example of this well marked tendency.
The urban-port heritage contributes favourably to the identity of a place and
represents a new alternative for visitors. For some cities (Naples, Barcelona,
Amsterdam, etc.), the presence of an exceptional « historical » urban heritage
helps to establish their reputation as a tourist destination.
However, other cities find it more challenging to bring out artistic and cultural
interest in their built environment. For these cities, the solution is to add
value to the industrial and port heritage. The warehouses and docksides
represent opportunities to revitalize and diversify commercial facilities in the
heart of the city. By encouraging the location of up market specialist shops in
an environment with a strong identity (built heritage and docks), a new kind of
urban focal point has been created in many port cities today.
After significant investment in the rehabilitation and refurbishment of the
Historic Quarter and the Port area, our aim for the city of Alicante is to
connect the cruise market and passengers to the Historic City Centre.
4
1.2 CTUR PARTNERS
NAPLES (Italy)
ALICANTE (Spain)
DUBLIN (Ireland)
HELSINKI (Finland)
LEIXÕES PORT AUTHORITY (Portugal)
MATOSINHOS (Portugal)
NAPLES PORTAUTHORITY (Italy)
RHODES (Greece)
ROSTOCK (Germany)
TRIESTE (Italy)
VALENCIA (Spain)
VARNA (Bulgaria)
ISTANBUL – o.p. (Turkey)
AIVP (International Association of Cities and Ports)
6
1.3 WORK METHODOLOGY AND ACTIVITIES
From January 2009 to July 2011, the network organized 9 seminars: one Kick-off
meeting, six thematic workshops on ‘the integrated approach’ and main topics,
one Steering Committee and a Final Conference.
The Steering Committee will take part in two Annual International Thematic
Conferences (2010-2011) on selected topics of specific relevance to all partners
in the framework of the CTUR Project. The Thematic Conferences will be
promoted by the International Association of Cities and Ports (AIVP) and the
URBACT Secretariat with the cooperation of CTUR Thematic Network.
7
1.4 LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP
An Urbact Local Support Group (ULSG) is organised and supported by each
partner through a series of meetings at local level. Thus, the ULSGs take part
in: the design and follow up of the Local Action plan; identification and
validation of network inputs; participation in exchanges; reporting back to the
other stakeholders, and involving and/or informing the associated Managing
Authorities.
Each partner develops its own Local Action Plan (LAP) as a result of the
exchange and learning activities and the output of its participation in the
network. The LAPs will be a result of shared work between partners and their
Local Support Group.
8
Alicante Local Support Group
SURNAME
NAME
ORGANIZATION
LEVEL
POSITION
Email
CITY
COUNTRY
REGIONAL
GENERAL
MANAGER
[email protected]
VALENCIA
SPAIN
VALENCIA
SPAIN
FERRER
ISMAEL
CONSELLERIA DE
INFRAESTRUCTURA Y
TRANSPORTE
/REGIONAL MINISTRY
OF INFRASTRUCTURE
AND TRANSPORT
JIMÉNEZ
CÉSAR
OFICINA RIVA
CITY OF
VALENCIA
MANAGER
CABEZA
MIGUEL
HOUSING DEPARTMENT
CITY OF
ALICANTE
COUNCIL
[email protected]
ALICANTE
SPAIN
MAYOR
GASPAR
HOUSING DEPARTMENT
CITY OF
ALICANTE
MANAGER
[email protected]
ALICANTE
SPAIN
GARCÍA-ROMEU
MARTA
TOURISM DEPARTMENT
CITY OF
ALICANTE
COUNCIL
[email protected]
ALICANTE
SPAIN
BAUTISTA
MÓNICA
PORT AUTHORITY
PORT OF
ALICANTE
MARKETING
DIRECTOR
[email protected]
ALICANTE
SPAIN
[email protected]
9
Alicante Local Support Group II (Technical)
SURNAME
NAME
ORGANIZATION
LEVEL
POSITION
Email
[email protected]
CITY
COUNTRY
VALENCIA
SPAIN
GALBIS
MARTA
RIVA OFFICE
CITY OF
VALENCIA
ARCHITECT
RIPOLL
Mª TERESA
HOUSING
DEPARTMENT
CITY OF
ALICANTE
COORDINATOR
[email protected]
ALICANTE
SPAIN
PRIETO
SARA
HOUSING
DEPARTMENT
EXTERNAL
RELATIONS
[email protected]
ALICANTE
SPAIN
MUÑOZ
GEMA
HOUSING
DEPARTMENT
ALICANTE
SPAIN
ALCARAZ
RAQUEL
TOURISM
DEPARTMENT
DÍAZ
EDNA
TOURISM
DEPARTMENT
LÓPEZ
LUIS
PORT ATHORITY
CITY OF
ALICANTE
CITY OF
ALICANTE
COUNCIL
ASSISTANCE
[email protected]
CITY OF
ALICANTE
TOURISM DEP.
[email protected]
ALICANTE
SPAIN
CITY OF
ALICANTE
TOURISM DEP.
[email protected]
ALICANTE
SPAIN
PORT OF
ALICANTE
CRUISES DIVISION
MANAGER
[email protected]
ALICANTE
SPAIN
10
2. THE CITY OF ALICANTE
11
2.1 HISTORY
Origins
Alicante is a city with over 3000 years of history, as revealed by the earliest
archaeological remains found at the Cova del Fum cave in Fontcalent, which date
from the third millennium BC.The earliest inhabited settlements were found on
the hillside of Mount Benacantil, where there is believed to have been an Iberian
population. The earliest town as such dates back to the 4th century BC which is
when Tossal de Manises, first became home to the Ibero-Roman colony of
Lucentum.
The Moorish Conquest
After the Roman era came the Moorish conquest, when the colony was relocated
to the slopes of Mount Benacantil for defensive reasons, creating the Vila Vella or
Old Town.
The Reconquest
In 1247, when the town was captured, for the Kingdom of Castille by the Infante
Alfonso, who was to become King Alfonso X, The Wise, it came to be known as
Vila Nova, or the New Town.In 1249, King Jaime II incorporated the town of
Alicante into the Kingdom of Valencia and then two centuries later, in 1490,
Ferdinand the Catholic King granted Alicante the status of city.
12
19th Century
In the 19th century progress arrived in the city with shape of the Alicante-Madrid
railway, the installation of street lighting and the new town planning regulations,
which would eliminate the walls and create new neighbourhoods.
In the 20th century the bonfire celebrations known as the Hogueras de San Juan,
which have been officially declared as of Interest to International Tourism, were
bornThen, the University was opened and in 1993 the city was selected as the
headquarters of the European Office of Harmonisation for the Internal Market (OHIM),
the EU's largest independent agency.
13
2.2 KEY FEATURES OF THE CITY AND THE PORT
The city of Alicante, located on the south east coast
of Spain, is a favourite Spanish destination.
The population of the city of Alicante proper was
335.459, estimated as of 2010, ranking as the
second-largest in Valencia Region.
It has excellent communication links with the rest of
Spain and Europe, thanks to its international airport.
Alicante
city
has
experienced
significant
development over the last 15 years. The Historic
Quarter has been revitalised and restored with all its
monumental and cultural heritage. We have now
diversified our tourism offerings to include different
options: architecture, monuments, museums,
regional cuisine and local handicrafts.
14
The Port of Alicante is only a one night voyage from the principal Spanish
Ports of the Mediterranean: Barcelona, Malaga and the Balearic Islands.
Alicante Port, like the city, has grown significantly during the last 10 years.
In 2003 cruise traffic in Alicante increased by 43.9% from 2002. Many
meetings and initiatives have taken place to support cruise tourism. There is
a new Maritime Station which is equipped to meet diverse cruise ship
requirements, enabling simultaneous disembarkations with gangways and
fingers for very big cruise liners.
The Port is well integrated into the city, offering passengers the possibility
to visit the different tourist attractions by foot.
Coordinates: 38º20’13’’ N, 0º29’19’’ W
15
2.3 UPDATED CONTEXT
PLAN RACHA (Rehabilitation of the Historical Centre)
Since 1992, when the first agreement was signed between the City of Alicante
and the Valencia Region regarding the Architectural Plans for the Rehabilitation
of the Historical Centre of Alicante, the Housing Department has been in charge
of regenerating the historic district from the following perspectives: urban
planning, architecture and social initiatives. A further similar agreement was
signed in 1997.
All these initiatives have been reviewed by the archaeology department, and
explanatory display boards are now located at important landmarks around the
historical centre.
PLAN RACHA OBJECTIVES
Social Objectives
•
•
•
•
•
To improve the quality of life for the residents.
To avoid social impoverishment.
To attract new citizens.
To equip the area with new services and facilities.
To foster cooperation with social organizations.
16
Urban Planning Objectives
•
To connect and integrate the Historical Centre with the surrounding urban fabric
and the rest of the city.
•
To improve access to the Historical Centre.
•
To improve public spaces.
•
To improve and renew urban communications facilities (LAN connections)
Architectonic Objectives
•
To preserve and restore the historical heritage and monuments.
•
Rehabilitation of residential buildings.
•
To promote private enterprise in the rehabilitation of residents’ houses and the
relocation of business in this area.
•
To establish a standard of quality through public enterprise, and thereby
develop a benchmark for future projects or initiatives.
17
Mount Benacantil Walls
Investment: 1.015.711 €
City Hall Extension
Investment: 6.527.796 €
Ereta Park - Mount Benacantil
Investment: 10.869.250 Euros
21
Asegurada Museum Extension
Investment: 9.939.825 €
23
PORT OF ALICANTE
The number of cruise passengers destined for Alicante has increased consistently,
reaching approximately 100.000 in 2009, with the exception of 2010, when a
small decline was recorded, with the number of cruise passengers to Alicante
reaching approximately 76.000.
The Port of Alicante had 47 port calls and 75,911 passengers in 2010. The average
passenger expenditure per port call was €45 and the busiest months for cruises
in Alicante were from March to October.
Over the last year, the Port of Alicante has stepped up its marketing initiatives
with the major cruise liners and the resulting indications of these efforts are very
positive: The port of Alicante expects to receive more than 50 vessel calls and to
surpass for the first time 100.000 cruise passengers in the 2011 season.
The main attraction of the port of Alicante is its excellent infrastructure and
berth capacity. Works have been completed to improve the bollards of the berth
installations at the cruise terminal which will enable the mooring of any type of
cruise liner .
24
Also, the Maritime Station benefits from great versatility, with a capacity to
welcome over 3,000 passengers.
The aims of the Port of Alicante for the next year are the following: to
consolidate the port within the international cruise environment; to increase the
number of vessel calls and Mediterranean routes boarding in Alicante. To achieve
these objectives the number of excursions on offer must be increased and cruise
passengers must enjoy a pleasant stay and have the opportunity to visit the many
attractions on offer in Alicante city.
25
CRUISE TOURISM IN ALICANTE
Our finest attraction as a tourist destination for Cruise Market is the pedestrian
access to the historical city tours, where visitors can enjoy the rich cultural
heritage and gastronomic variety. All this, only a 15 minute walk form the Maritime
Station and the warm Mediterranean climate (18º C annual average temperature and
3.000 sun hours per year) makes Alicante a very pleasant all year round tourist
attraction.
Alicante has great expectations with the introduction of the high speed train (the
AVE) which will be operating by the end of 2012. Madrid will be less than a two hour
journey away from Alicante and this will improve Alicante’s competitiveness as a
home port. Also the New Terminal Area of Alicante Airport (inaugurated on
February 2011), finalising an ambitious modernisation process which has increased
its capacity to 20 million passengers and puts it at the head of the main
Mediterranean tourist airports.
In general terms, the global demand for cruise tourism has doubled over the last ten
years: Worldwide cruise tourism generated €14 billion, of which Spain received
€1.1 million.
Worldwide, Spain is the third destination on Mediterranean cruises with 4.1 million
passengers in 2009 and Alicante is ranked in tenth place nationally.
26
3. THE LOCAL ACTION PLAN
27
CTUR LAP ALICANTE
GENERAL OBJECTIVE
To establish a link between the city and the port.
28
CHALLENGES
•
Reactivate and reuse the port area as a commercial and leisure zone.
•
To become a key part of the cruise network, given that Alicante is an attractive
tourist destination.
•
To promote the Historic Quarter of Alicante to the cruise market as an
interesting alternative for their excursions.
•
To establish a link between the city and the port.
•
To enhance the Historic Quarter and urban heritage.
•
Develop a marketing plan to promote the Historic Quarter to cruise liners and
their clients, and for example, offer them different routes within the Historic
Quarter that meet cruise passengers’ specific needs.
29
CTUR LAP ALICANTE - Introduction
Specific objective1
Specific objective 2
Specific objective 3
Enhancement of the Historic
Quarter and urban heritage
Optimisation of the city's
attractiveness as a tourist
destination
Consolidation and
improvement of existing links
between city and port
• Action 1.1
Development of a visitor
centre in the Historic
Quarter
to
welcome
cruise passengers.
• Action 2.1
A specific programme
to welcome cruise
passengers to the city.
• Action 1.2
Development of different
routes in the Historic
Quarter
given
the
visitor’s time constraints
and preferences (that is:
museums,
churches,
gastronomy,
handicrafts).
• Action 3.1
Establishment
of
a
permanent work force
between city and port.
• Action 3.2
Information
and
coordination of the
Alicante Local Action
Plan.
31
CTUR LAP ALICANTE
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE 1
Enhancement of the Historic Quarter and urban heritage
1.1. Cruise Passengers Visitor Centre:
This public building was inaugurated in October 2010, and it’s located in
the old town. The tourist routes will start from the Visitors Centre and
there will be screens projecting information about tourism, official
institutions, commerce and local heritage . Inside the Visitors Centre,
there is a designated cruise passenger lounge. Cruise passengers will be
transported here on a five minute bus journey from the port and will be
able to take in the images of the different routes and activities on offer in
the Historic Quarter shown on the different screens here. In the same
lounge, brochures outlining the various routes in the Historic Quarter will
be on display.
32
Our Local Support Group, in collaboration with the Tourist Guide Association
in Alicante, is currently working on the design of a new brochure created
specifically for the cruise market.
33
Cruise Passengers Visitor Centre
35
Cruise Passengers Visitor Centre
36
CTUR LAP ALICANTE
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE
Enhancement of the Historic Quarter and urban heritage
1.2. Suggestion of different routes in the Historic Quarter, given visitors’ time
constraints or personal preferences
• On-board promotion of the different routes available within the Historic
Quarter. This will give an approximation of visitors numbers per route per
day.
Cultural routes
Commercial and handcrafts routes
Gastronomic routes
• Free routes for those passengers who want to visit the city by themselves.
These routes are marked by signposts located throughout the Historic
Quarter.
• Distribution of our specific brochure for cruise passengers.
37
Visitor Routes: Main Points Of Interest
2. Festa Museum
3. Portal Elche
9
7
1. San Nicolás Cocathedral
4. Miró Square
5. Santa Cruz
5
8
6. Explanada
Boulevard
7. City Walls
10
2
11
8. Ereta Park
12
9. Santa Bárbara
Castle
1
10. Water Museum
14
13
3
6
4
11. Gravina Museum
of Fine Art
12. Santa María
Church
13. Beach
39
1. San Nicolás Cocathedral
2. Festa Museum
Visitor Route: Option 1
3. Portal Elche
4. Miró Square
9
7
5
8
5. Santa Cruz
BUS Transfer
6. Explanada
Boulevard
Walk Tour
7. City Walls
8. Ereta Park
10
2
11
9. Santa Bárbara
Castle
12
10. Water Museum
1
14
13
12. Santa María
Church
3
6
4
11. Gravina Museum
of Fine Art
13. Beach
14. Town Hall
40
Visitor Route: Option 2
1. San Nicolás Cocathedral
2. Festa Museum
15
17
3. Portal Elche
4. Miró Square
16
5. Santa Cruz
6. Explanada
7. City Walls
8. Ereta Park
9. Santa Bárbara Castle
7
10. Water Museum
9
11. Gravina Museum
5
12. Santa María Church
8
10 11
2
12
1
13. Beach
14. Town Hall
13
15. MARQ
14
3
4
6
BUS Transfer
16. Old Tobacco Factory
Walk Tour
17. Bull Ring
41
CTUR LAP ALICANTE
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE 2
Improve cruise passenger tourist information
2.1. Development of a specific programme to welcome cruise passengers to the
city.
•
Information about routes with specific brochures for the Historic Quarter.
The Local Support Group is currently working on a new brochure with the
collaboration of the Tourist Guide Association.
•
Reception at Cruise Terminal, which is also the location of the Tourist
Information Office where a specific brochure for cruise passengers will be
made available (Free Routes guided by signposts) and free transfer to the
Visitor Centre.
42
Signpost: ‘Welcome To The Historic Quarter’
45
Signpost: ‘Where To Go’ In The Historic Quarter
46
Signpost: ‘Where Am I’ In the Historic Quarter
47
Cruise Friends Web Page
This is an initiative that we can also find in other port cities like Cartagena. When
tourists intend to go on a cruise with a stop in Alicante, they can find out about
the tourist offerings in the Historic Quarter in advance and find details and links
to interesting websites, such as museums, theatres, cultural events and also the
Alicante Town Hall Website.
The development of a Cruise Friends Web Page is an interesting project for our
Local Support Group. In Cartagena, for example, there is a commitment between
the public and private companies, which appear on the web page, and shops must
remain open between cruise arrival and departure times. This web has specific
information about museums, churches and other interesting buildings and their
opening hours, commercial outlets, restaurants and other activities.
48
CTUR LAP ALICANTE
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE 3
Consolidation & Improvement of existing links between port and city
3.1. Extension and consolidation of the permanent Port & City workforce.
This must be formed by LSG Members co-ordinated by the Housing Department
(Plan RACHA Office) and the Tourism and Port Authorities. Coordination
currently only exists between the Port Authority and Tourism.
3.2. Local Action Plan.
The LSG has defined 3 key steps for the development of the Plan:
1. The Rehabilitation Office must indicate the historical monuments &
commercial places of interest, which include specific routes from San Pascual.
They will also advise on new developments.
2. The Tourism Department will develop different tourist packages, which will
include guided and free routes.
3. The Port Authority will distribute these packages to their trade show
contacts. Also it is very important to be aware of ‘port calls’ in advance in
order to be ready for the cruise arrivals.
50
CTUR LAP ALICANTE: FINAL CONCLUSIONS
OBJECTIVES
• To connect the city to the port and the port to the city.
• To improve customer satisfaction & loyalty to the cruise
companies.
ADVANTAGES FOR THE CITY
• To improve the city’s image.
• To improve financial returns on the public and private
investments within the Historic Quarter by increasing tourist
activities.
52
LAP ANNEXES
City of Alicante
Alicante Maritime Station, a gateway to the Historical Center
Objective 1: Revalue the Old Town and urban heritage
Action 1.1: Development of a visitor centre in the Old Town to welcome cruise passengers
Description of the
specific LAP Action
•
Responsible
(Institutions/Authorities in
charge)
This public building will
include a visitors center
for the old town, which
will form the start of the
tourist routes, and there
will be projections with
information about
tourism, official
institutions, commercial
and local heritage
Municipality of Alicante and
Housing Department
Phase 1.1
COMPLETED
Estimated cost
1.224.960 €
(estimated)
Legal/official planning framework
Spanish Central Government “PLAN-E”
Local Investment Fund for Employment
Financing secured
(Potential funding
already allocated)
Funding and
programmes that
partners can apply for
100% Fully funded by the
Spanish Central
Government
Action 1.2: Development of different routes in the old town depending on time and preferences (museums, churches, gastronomy, handicrafts..)
Description of the
specific LAP Action
Responsible
(Institutions/Authorities in
charge)
On-board sales
development of
different routes within
the old town. This will
give an idea of visitors
numbers per route per
day.
Municipality of Alicante
(housing Dep. And Tourism Dep.)
and Port Authority.
Phase 1.2
COMPLETED
Estimated cost
1. Signage: 42.000
€ aprox.
2. Routes
planning: No cost ,
routes are already
done.
Legal/official planning framework
Cultural Department, Municipality of
Alicante
(Legislature 2007 – 2011)
Financing secured
(Potential funding
already allocated)
Funding and
programmes that
partners can apply for
50% Municipality of
Alicante (Culture Dep.)
and 50%Generalitat
Valenciana
2. Don’t need funds
53
Objective 2: Improve tourism attractiveness of the destination
Action 2.1: An specific programme to welcome cruise passengers to the city
Description of the
specific LAP Action
Information about
previous routes with
specific brochures
(guided routes).
Reception at Cruise
Terminals where there
exits a Tourist
Information Office,
with a specific
brochure for passenger
(Free Routes). Cruises
Friend Web page
Responsible
(Institutions/Authorities in
charge)
Municipality of Alicante
(Housing
Dep. And Tourism Dep.)
Estimated cost
10.000 € aprox.
10.000 € aprox.
Legal/official planning framework
Housing Department – Tourism
Department and Port Authority
Agreement to submit and approve by
Local Government (Legislature 2011 –
2015)
Financing secured
(Potential funding
already allocated)
Funding and
programmes that
partners can apply for
Municipality of Alicante .
Port Authority
Specific new actions:
1. Mailings with
Information about
cruises arrivals with
timetable and number
of passengers.
2. We are working in a
new brochure for
cruises passengers. This
must be an exclusive
Old Town map.
3. Working on the new
Cruises Friend Web
Page
Phase 2.1
MAILINGS: PHASE 1
BROCHURE: PHASE 1
WEB PAGE: PHASE 1
54
Objective 3: Consolidation and improvement of existing links between city and port
Action 3.1 : Establishment of a permanent work force between city and port
Description of the
specific LAP Action
Responsible
(Institutions/Authorities in
charge)
This must be formed by
LSG Members. Coordinated by Tourism,
Port Authority and
Housing Dept. (Plan
RACHA Office). Currently
its only exists between
the Port Authority and
Tourism.
Municipality of Alicante
and Port Authority
Phase 3.1
PHASE 2
Estimated cost
No cost.
Legal/official planning framework
Since 2008 our LSG has been working
together to create our LAP, this year we
expect to reach an agreement between
different bodies( Legislature 2011-2015)
Financing secured
(Potential funding
already allocated)
Funding and
programmes that
partners can apply for
Don’t need funds
Action 3.2: Information and coordination of the Alicante’s Local Action Plan
Description of the
specific LAP Action
Responsible
(Institutions/Authorities in
charge)
The LSG has defined 3
key steps for the
development of the local
action plan:
1. The Rehabilitation
Office must point out
the historical
monuments &
commercial points of
interest, which include
specific route from San
Pascual.
2. Tourism will develop
different tourist
packages, which will
include guided and free
routes.
3. Port Authority will
distribute these
packages within their
tradeshow contacts. Also
it is very important to
know beforehand the
‘portcalling stops’ so that
the heritage and
commercial bodies can
prepare themselves for
the cruise arrivals.
Municipality of Alicante and
Port Authority
Phase
1. COMPLETED
2. WORKING ON IT
3. NEXT STEP
Estimated cost
Legal/official planning framework
Legislature 2011-2015
Financing secured
(Potential funding
already allocated)
Funding and
programmes that
partners can apply for
Don’t need funds
55
4.
CONCLUSION
57
KEY PROBLEMS, CHALLENGES AND THEMATIC FOCUSES
The Port of Alicante is located in the centre of the bay, and it is the city’s facade
to the sea. Alicante’s historical quarter is a ten minute walk from the Maritime
Station, and it is a great place to visit, with its narrow pedestrianised streets lined
with white houses, its very own shopping area, panoramic views from the castle of
Santa Barbara and numerous other tourist attractions.
Ten years ago, the City of Alicante realized the importance of developing its
potential in the cruise market in order to attract tourists to the city.
Consequently, the new Maritime Station was built 5 years ago. At the same time,
the city’s Historic Quarter began its restoration and rehabilitation program. The
main objective was to improve the city’s cultural heritage by restoring the
monuments, museums, churches, castle, pedestrian areas, period buildings … Now,
we need to connect the Maritime Station to the Historic Quarter.
They are only a ten minute walk from each other, but often the shopping
opportunities are more attractive to visitors than the cultural ones!
58
POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPECTATIONS
The City of Alicante is committed to promoting the Port Area and, together with
the Valencia Regional Government, has carried out a number of works to improve
this area and the road connections in order to regenerate it as a commercial and
leisure zone with a casino, hotels and restaurants that will help turn the city into
an outstanding cruise port.
59
The recently built Maritime Station has been designed especially for cruise
passengers and the companies and services involved in this type of tourism. All
the necessary services are available for the major cruise liners crossing the
Mediterranean. Just a 10 minute walk from the city centre, the Maritime Station
can guarantee the maximum security required by international regulations. An
undercover footbridge provides travellers with easy access from the boat to the
terminal.
Moreover, there is a shuttle service to the city. Since last year, the Port of
Alicante has installed modern facilities: the new Fishing Dock; the extended
Terminal of Containers; the Commercial Dock; the modern Cruise Terminal and a
Zone for Logistic Activities.
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The Volvo Ocean Race first departed from Alicante in October 2008, and the port
was adapted to accommodate this prestigious global event on the sailing
calendar. The Cruise Terminal now offers all modern services and facilities,
making this an even more attractive destination for cruise passengers.
Consequently, it is expected that the number of cruiser liners to Alicante will
increase.
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Gràcies
Contact email
www.urbact.eu/ctur