Cruise 360 ​​Brazil: Marco Ferraz, CEO of CLIA Brazil, highlights the sector's growth and the country's still largely untapped potential

The CEO of CLIA Brazil, Marco Ferraz, presented figures showing the global expansion of the activity and advocated for structural advancements to enable Brazil to increase its participation in this market.

The Brazilian edition of Cruise 360 ​​brought together approximately 750 participants, including tourism professionals, representatives from cruise lines, sponsors, and organizers. According to Marco Ferraz, this number reflects the growing interest in the sector and the consolidation of the event in the country.

"We had 679 registered participants, and adding the staff and participants, we ended up with close to 750 or 780 people here," Ferraz stated.

According to the executive, demand could be even greater if the physical space allowed. "If we had more space, we would have more people and more sponsors," he said.

He explained that the growth of the event mirrors the current state of the global cruise industry, which has seen consistent expansion after the pandemic period.

Passenger profile shows diversity of audiences.

Data presented by CLIA indicates that the profile of cruise passengers is becoming increasingly diverse. The global average age of passengers is around 46 years old, and there is no predominance of a single generation.

Ferraz highlighted that different travel formats cater to distinct audiences. Longer cruises tend to attract more experienced travelers, while mini-cruises and themed itineraries appeal to younger passengers.

According to him, understanding the traveler's profile is fundamental to offering personalized experiences. "We ask how the person likes to travel, what type of hotel they prefer, whether they like history, the beach, or shopping. With that information, we can adapt the itinerary to each traveler's interests," he explained.

Another relevant piece of data is the high intention to return. Research shows that the vast majority of passengers intend to repeat the experience on a cruise.

Brazil as a destination and origin for cruise passengers.

Brazil occupies a strategic position in the sector because it acts simultaneously as a source market and a tourist destination for cruises.

According to Ferraz, approximately 776,000 Brazilians embark on cruise trips around the world annually. At the same time, the country receives international tourists, especially from South America.

"The number of Argentinians who come here exceeds 100,000 in a single season," he stated.

In addition to its South American neighbors, the country also receives travelers from more distant markets, such as Europe, the United States, and Australia, especially on expedition ships.

Despite this, Ferraz believes there is still significant room for growth, especially in less explored regions.

"We still have many secrets, such as the North and Northeast regions, which are little explored," he said.

Potential of river cruises in South America

One of the segments with great potential for expansion in the region is river cruises. Currently, the supply is still limited when compared to traditional destinations in Europe or Asia.

Ferraz explained that CLIA currently brings together 27 associated river cruise companies, with more than 200 vessels operating mainly in Europe, the southern United States, North Africa, and South Asia.

In South America, however, development is still in its early stages.

"We have very little supply. The potential is enormous, with rivers like the Amazon and the Paraguay," he stated.

Infrastructure and costs still limit expansion.

Despite market growth, the executive highlighted that Brazil still faces structural challenges that impact the sector's competitiveness.

Among the main obstacles are high operating costs, bureaucracy, and the need for regulatory modernization.

Ferraz cited, for example, the process of issuing visas to foreign crew members who work on ships.

"The visa takes a long time to be issued and it's still done manually. We need to send passports to an employee," he explained.

Furthermore, according to him, labor issues and port costs also affect the business environment.

CLIA has been working with government agencies and the National Congress to find solutions that make the country more attractive to shipping companies.

Managing tourist flow in port cities

In highly visited international destinations, such as Barcelona and cities in Greece, the growth of tourism has generated debates about so-called overtourism, where an excess of visitors puts pressure on local infrastructure.

Ferraz explained that, in Brazil, this scenario is not yet predominant, but the industry is following the issue closely.

He highlighted that the cruise industry has an advantage in managing tourist flow, since port calls are planned in advance.

"We know when they're arriving, the time, and how many passengers will be disembarking. This allows us to organize the flow of people through the city," he stated.

According to him, the industry is open to dialogue with local authorities to better organize visits and distribute tourists across different regions of the destination.

More ships and opportunities for Brazil.

Data presented by CLIA shows that the global sector continues to expand. The industry currently operates around 310 ships and is expected to receive 13 new vessels this year alone, increasing capacity by approximately 27,000 berths.

By 2036, it is projected that another 75 ships will enter service, adding approximately 200,000 new berths to the global fleet.

For Ferraz, this growth represents an important opportunity for emerging destinations, such as Brazil.

Last season, 93 ships operated in South America, but only 43 passed through Brazil.

"There are more different types of ships in Ushuaia than in Brazil," he stated.

He argues that structural improvements and greater regulatory predictability can help the country attract more vessels in the coming years.

Debunking myths about cruise travel

Even with the sector's expansion, there are still misconceptions that keep some travelers away from the cruise experience.

Among the most common myths are the ideas that ships are cramped, rock too much, or are overcrowded.

Ferraz states that these impressions do not correspond to the current reality of the vessels.

"People think they'll feel claustrophobic, but the ships are designed with many different spaces," he explained.

Another advantage he pointed out is the possibility of visiting multiple destinations without having to change hotels or rearrange luggage during the trip.

"You can visit many places without having to pack, check in, or constantly board and disembark. Every day you open the window, there's a different view," he said.

For the executive, cost-effectiveness is also a relevant factor, especially on longer trips that allow visitors to explore several destinations in a single experience.

Reporting and photo: Mary de Aquino.