Gothenburg Cruise Destination. An investigation of the importance of networks

Abstract: The cruise industry can be considered a new niche in the tourist sector, especially in Gothenburg where it begun to take of when the Gothenburg Cruise Network was created in 2009. Tourism is often seen as a good way to increase the income and create employment in declining areas earlier dependent on. While studying the cruise tourism in Gothenburg it has shown that the economic impact of this particular niche has not affected the area to any major extent. In order gain a greater economic advantage from the increasing cruise tourism the study has shown the importance of becoming the port of embarkation and disembarkation, which results in greater spending per passenger. To become a successful cruise port the cooperation between the port and the cities tourist organisation is important; networks with members from different sectors are created working together to attract the cruise lines. On the regional level the networks are created with members consisting of the local networks. Cruise Baltic is the regional network in the Baltic Sea and are working together to create an attractive destination for the cruise lines. In order to do that unified port standards are created and the more developed cruise ports are helping their newer competitors. Competitors’ working together to develop the destination creates a synergy, which favours the whole region.