Author: AIVP
Source: Port of San Francisco
On sale date: Friday, 18 February 2005
Type of document: News
Topic: 2.06 - cruise activity, 1.01 - port development project
Original language: English
Location: America : United States : San Francisco
Language: English, French, Spanish

A conference was organised in collaboration with the Port of San Francisco and the economic stakeholders in the cruise business on the 26th January 2005. The presentations underlined the economic weight of cruise activities. The spin offs do not only benefit the professionals in the sector but the economy of the whole city and region. On this occasion, the port authorities announced the construction of a new cruise terminal on Piers 30-32. It is planned to be put into service in 2009.

Over two hundred people, representing more than a hundred Bay Area businesses, attended the event. Along with the Port, other sponsors included WHERE San Francisco Magazine, the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero, Boudin at the Wharf, Cline Cellars, Artesa Vineyards, and Cable Car Charters.

Representatives from the Mayor’s office, the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Port Commission made opening remarks, and each commented on the significant impact of the cruise lines on the local economy. “There is no doubt that the growth in San Francisco’s passenger cruise market has significantly benefited the City’s travel trade industries,” stated John Marks, president of the Convention & Visitors Bureau. “And that directly translates into more jobs, more enrichment, and more opportunities for all Bay Area residents. The average cruise ship spends $650,000 on wages and benefits, as well as on goods and services every time they are in port.”

“The Port’s cruise business is important not only to our maritime industries, but also to the City’s overall economy,” remarked Michael Hardeman, vice president of the Port Commission. “It’s important that the Port continue to aggressively attract cruise ships to San Francisco and construct our new cruise terminal at Piers 30-32, which we expect to open in 2009.”