Genoa’s port reaffirms itself as a strategic Mediterranean hub
In 2025 the port closed the year with 334 ship calls and 1,630,593 cruise passengers, up 6.47% on 2024: the second-best year ever after the 2023 record. The Port of Genoa maintains its strategic position in the Mediterranean cruise market, with 1.53 million passengers and 304 calls in 2024.
Photo by Petra Nesti on Pexels
In 2024, there were 304 ship calls with 1,531,406 cruise passengers, of which 600,011 were home port passengers and 931,395 were in transit, representing a 9.85% decrease compared to 2023. This decline is directly attributable to ongoing work for the construction of a new 376-meter pier on the eastern side of Ponte dei Mille, which temporarily reduced the port’s operational capacity.
In detail, according to data from Stazioni Marittime S.p.A., 2025 closed with 620,195 home port cruise passengers and 1,010,398 in transit.
MSC Cruises dominates Genoa’s traffic with approximately 1,200,000 passengers and 238 calls scheduled for 2025, confirming Genoa as a strategic home port. The flagship MSC World Europa will continue calling at the cruise terminals every Sunday of the year, ensuring a constant flow of visitors.
Economic impact: a 14.7 billion euro engine for Italy
The cruise sector generates considerable economic impact on the national economy. According to CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) data, the sector produces a production value in terms of output equal to €14.7 billion. At the national level, according to the same CLIA report, the cruise industry supports nearly 100,000 jobs in Italy.
For Genoa, this translates into direct impact on the city’s economic fabric. Cruise passenger transit is not limited to the port area: it fuels restaurants, transportation services, guided tours, shopping and hospitality. Each cruise passenger generates economic activity across various sectors: not just tourism, but also logistics, naval maintenance, transportation and ground services.
The economic value per passenger is nonetheless significant: according to CLIA, a cruise passenger’s direct spending in port cities averages 700 euros over a seven-day cruise, for a total of 1.4 billion euros a year in Italy. This means that each cruise passenger represents a high-spending target, with every euro spent on shore having potential multiplier effects, especially if it reaches local supply chains.
Infrastructure investments: toward a new future for the port
The Port Authority System of the Western Ligurian Sea has launched an ambitious investment program to strengthen cruise infrastructure. In Genoa, work continues on expanding the cruise terminal at Ponte dei Mille East, with an investment of over €24 million.
The project provides for the extension of the dock that will bring its length to 376 meters, a measure necessary to meet growing cruise demand. However, completion times are proving longer than expected: work will not be finished in time even for the first half of 2026.
In parallel, the Port Authority is investing heavily in environmental sustainability. To reduce emissions, €20 million from the “Decreto Genova” Extraordinary Programme has been allocated to shore-side electrification, together with around €32 million in PNRR funds for a second primary electrical substation able to handle up to 132 MW; the works were scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, with entry into service in the early months of 2026.
Competitive landscape: Genoa in the Italian context
In the Italian cruise landscape, Genoa ranks as the third port by volume after Civitavecchia and Naples. The 2025 results show Civitavecchia in first place with 3,556,000 passengers, Naples in second with 1,846,000 and Genoa in third with 1,630,000.
However, regarding home port cruise passengers (those starting their voyage from the city), Civitavecchia remains Italy’s leading home port, while Genoa recorded 620,195 cruise passengers involved in home in/out operations in 2025. This data is crucial for local economic impact, as home port passengers tend to stay longer in the departure city.
Liguria overall remains in second place nationally with 3.27 million cruise passengers in 2025, just behind Lazio, benefiting from synergies between Genoa, Savona and La Spezia. The weight of Ligurian cruise traffic relative to the Italian total stood at 21.3% in 2024 and at around 22% in 2025.
Impact on the short-term rental market
Cruise tourism represents a significant opportunity for the short-term rental market in Genoa. With over 620,000 home port cruise passengers starting their journey from Genoa, a substantial portion requires accommodation before or after their cruise.
The short-term rental market in Italy has reached considerable dimensions: Airbnb’s economic impact on the Italian economy was 19.7 billion euros in 2024, with an independent Nomisma analysis estimating an economic value of 19.7 billion euros. For every euro spent on Airbnb, another 3 euros are generated in the Italian economy, contributing the equivalent of 139,000 full-time jobs.
In Liguria and in the province of Genoa, a non-negligible share of properties still lacks the National Identification Code (CIN).
It is worth noting that according to Airbnb, the overtourism phenomenon is mainly due to low-cost flights, cruise tourism and hotels, rather than short-term rentals. However, this highlights how cruise tourism is a significant generator of accommodation demand.
Challenges and opportunities for the real estate market
The cruise ship sector presents some unique characteristics that influence the short-term rental market. Home port cruise passengers typically have short stay needs (1-2 nights before embarkation), while transit passengers may not require accommodation. However, some areas near the port have seen an increase in property values, while others have been revitalized through public and private investments.
The temporal concentration of cruise flows can create demand peaks that adapt well to the short-term rental model. MSC World Europa will continue to call every Sunday of the year, MSC Grandiosa will operate on Saturdays, MSC Seaview on Mondays, MSC Orchestra on Tuesdays, creating predictable demand patterns for property owners.
Perspectives for 2025-2026: controlled growth and sustainability
The outlook for the 2025-2026 period is positive but realistic. For 2026 Stazioni Marittime forecasts around 320 calls and 1.6 million cruise passengers, in line with 2025, with the possibility of operating more calls once the Mille di Levante wharf is back in service.
The completion of infrastructure works will allow Genoa to welcome next-generation ships, increasing port competitiveness. The importance of extending the wharf is not only about the number of ships, but also for organizing services that benefit tourists and cruise companies, creating opportunities for development and innovations in cruise passenger services.
Sustainability remains a priority: in 2024 the European cruise sector generated €64.1 billion (+15.73% compared to 2023), contributing €28 billion to the EU GDP and supporting 445,000 jobs.
Implications for property owners
For owners considering investment in short-term rentals, cruise tourism represents a stable and growing market segment. The predictability of flows, linked to cruise line navigation schedules, allows accurate planning of occupancy rates.
The type of cruise clientele has interesting characteristics: medium-high budget, short but recurring stays during the season, concentration in areas well-served by port connections. Furthermore, Genoa is increasingly positioning itself as a destination to experience, not merely to pass through, with the valorization of the historic center and proposals designed for those with limited time who want an authentic image of the city.
The challenge will be to intercept this demand in a structured way, considering that challenges remain in managing traffic peaks and redistributing tourism benefits, but by working on these aspects Genoa is building a more sustainable hospitality model.
Analysis based on public data and sources. genovabb.it is not a news outlet. The data reported has been collected from sources believed to be reliable but accuracy is not guaranteed.
