In the last three years the number of passengers on cruise ships visiting Maó has dropped by almost half. In 2008 the liners brought 103,574 people to the port, a figure which dropped to 63,297 this year and which looks set to drop still further in 2011. According to information provided by the Autoridad Portuaria de Balears (the Port Authority), 68 cruise ships are expected in 2011 compared to this year's 93, a drop of 26% which follows a decrease of 17.6% between 2009 and 2010.
The number of cruise ships calling at Maó has also decreased considerably, the port having been removed from the itinerary of many liners due to a lack of infrastructure. Elsewhere in the Balearic Islands it is a different story - the forecast for Ibiza showing an increase of 24% on this year's figures which were up 9.7% on 2009; and Palma maintaining this year's numbers which were 23.8% higher than last year.
Maó port's infrastructure means that it is not suitable for the super cruise ships that are becoming more popular. Whilst the average number of passengers per ship visiting Maó is 800, in Ibiza and Palma the number rises to 2,300. Menorca now receives 3% of the Balearic cruise trade compared to 20% fifteen years ago.
The Balearic Port Authority has been criticised for not investing in the infrastructure needed to enable the larger ships to berth in the port, which has resulted in a progressive drop in the income of shops and restaurants in the area. However, the island's businesses have also been blamed for not knowing how to sell Menorca as an attractive port of call for cruise ships.
Alarmed by the situation, Maó Council has asked the Port Authority to analyse the cruise sector to determine why Maó is being left off the itinerary of liners that previously visited the port. As Councillor Emili de Balanzó pointed out, it is not only the port that is losing business as excursions to other parts of the island are laid on for passengers.