The first of twelve cruises scheduled between now and October 2023 has berthed in Piombino today.. The next calls are scheduled for the 2nd, 14th and 26th June, 25th July, 9th, 14th , 25th and 30th August, 13th and 25th September and 17th October.
To cater for the arrival of cruise passengers, this year Piombino Municipality has committed itself once again to guaranteeing numerous tourist reception services through the Società Parchi Val di Cornia.
“Our city is proving to be an increasingly popular tourist attraction,” says Sabrina Nigro, Councillor for Tourism. “It is very important at this stage to accompany Piombino’s growing popularity as a quality tourist destination by offering innovative services tailored to meet their demands and needs, thanks also to our business network and our catering sector, which will make a visit to our area even more enjoyable. In fact, the cruise segment, besides bringing many tourists to our local streets, is an additional stimulus to promote the beauty of our area, but it is only effective if it is integrated with proper activities and services. Through the indispensable, successful synergy between local bodies and institutions, such as the Port Network Authority and the collaboration with the Società Parchi Val di Cornia, we are able to offer tourist activities and help our visitors explore our historical, cultural, and natural heritage to the fullest.”
“Società Parchi Val di Cornia plays an important role in welcoming cruise passengers by planning, coordinating, and managing the activities to be proposed with the professionalism and skills gained through years of experience in the field of promoting and enhancing our area. Thanks to the close collaboration between our company and our municipality, Piombino port will give cruise passengers the opportunity to discover our town with a wide-range of itineries,” says the CEO of Società Parchi Val di Cornia, Mauro Tognoli
As soon as passengers disembark, they will find a dedicated reception desk and service on the pier, and scheduled shuttle buses will allow cruise passengers to get to the city.
In order to make their visit more pleasant and interesting and at the same time give greater visibility to the commercial activities in Piombino’s historic centre, Corso Italia and the side streets, the Municipality is also encouraging shopkeepers to put their products on display and sell them in the areas in front of their shops, without charging them for it, on the days when cruises arrive.
On days when passengers disembark, it will be possible to visit the weekly market which will have longer opening hours.
Handicrafts, agri-food and wine products will be back on show and for sale in the public areas that the municipal administration has set aside in Piazza Bovio.
In addition, there will be a sightseeing tour on the city train with an English-speaking tour guide service.
“The Sea Cloud II’s first call in Piombino kicks off a cruise season that foreshadows the beginning of a recovery that is very important for us,” says Port Network Authority president Luciano Guerrieri.
“Now we will have to work to be able to fully exploit the port’s potential from an infrastructural and geographical point of view and to set up brand-new excursion packages in synergy with the local area,” he adds.”As the recent Risposte Turismo study, which was also presented in Portoferraio, pointed out, it is essential to define a process involving the entire community designed to improve and enhance the quality of passenger reception services.”
Translation by Giles Foster
