Investment in Adriatic maritime tourism infrastructure is projected to exceed EUR 390 million (US$399 million) between 2024 and 2026, as per the latest Adriatic Sea Tourism Report, revealed at the Adriatic Sea Forum's 7th edition (hosted in partnership with the Port of Ravenna Authority on October 25th-26th, 2024). Of this, EUR 200 million (US$216 million) will be allocated to the cruise and ferry sectors to support rising passenger traffic.
According to Risposte Turismo, the firm behind the report, Adriatic cruise traffic will continue its upward trajectory, with projections of 5.1+ million cruise passenger movements in 2025 - a 3.9% increase over 2024. Concurrently, cruise ship port calls are expected to reach 3,400+, marking a 5.8% rise. This growth is driving extensive investment in infrastructure, with EUR 200 million (US$216 million) earmarked for new terminals and maritime stations. Among key projects is a new cruise terminal in Marghera-Venice (Italy), slated to open by 2028 at an estimated EUR 67 million (US$72 million), and a EUR 3 million (US$3.2 million) cruise facility in Koper (Slovenia), scheduled for spring 2025. Further expansions include new maritime stations in Ravenna and Bari (Italy), and new marinas in Valona (Albania) and Rijeka (Croatia), due to open by 2026.
The Adriatic Sea Tourism Report incorporates estimates from 20+ Adriatic cruise ports, which together represent 84% of total projected passenger movements and 83% of port calls in 2024. Italy remains the leader in cruise passenger numbers, though the eastern Adriatic, especially Croatia, is experiencing significant growth, with Croatia expecting a 5.5% rise in calls by 2025.
Albania and Montenegro are set to record the largest increases, with Albania forecasting a 235% surge in passenger movements, primarily at Port Sarande, which will welcome ~70,000 passengers. Montenegro's Port Bar expects a 203% increase, with passenger movements anticipated to reach 145,000.
Additionally, the report notes a rise in ferry, hydrofoil, and catamaran travel, with passenger movements up 2% in 2024 compared to 2023. This trend is expected to continue into 2025, with 21+ million passenger movements projected.
The ports of Split (Croatia), Igoumenitsa (Greece), and Zadar (Croatia) are forecasted to remain the top ferry ports in the region.