The official announcement was made at Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami, the world’s leading cruise industry gathering, which brings together more than 11,500 professionals, 650 exhibitors and representatives from over 125 countries.
The Port of Las Palmas will host Europe’s premier cruise industry event in September 2026, following a record 2025 season with more than two million cruise passengers and its consolidation as one of the major hubs in the Mid-Atlantic.
The Las Palmas Port Authority will host Seatrade Cruise Med 2026, the largest European event dedicated to the cruise sector. The conference, scheduled for 15–16 September at the Port of Las Palmas and sponsored by the Government of the Canary Islands, the Cabildo of Gran Canaria and the City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, was officially unveiled at Seatrade Cruise Global 2026 in Miami. The Port Authority participated alongside Puertos del Estado and Global Ports Holding, strengthening its visibility within the international cruise industry circuit.
The dual presentation—held at both the Puertos del Estado and Global Ports Holding stands—featured Gustavo Santana, president of Puertos del Estado; Beatriz Calzada, president of the Las Palmas Port Authority; Pablo Rodríguez, regional minister for Public Works, Housing and Mobility of the Canary Islands; Susana Gutiérrez, director of Global Ports Canary Islands; and Mary Bond, director of Seatrade Cruise.
During her remarks, Calzada emphasized that “hosting Seatrade Cruise Med 2026 is not just about adding a major event to the calendar, but about completing a strategy built on investment, planning and collaboration—one that allows us to present ourselves today as a prepared, competitive and internationally oriented destination.” She added that the port takes on this challenge “with the responsibility of ensuring that this edition reflects the strong momentum of the cruise sector in the Canary Islands and the strength of a cohesive port system.”
She highlighted the port’s recent transformation, including the launch of the new cruise terminal at the Port of Las Palmas—now the largest in Europe—and the milestone of surpassing two million cruise passengers in 2025. “These achievements place us in a solid position to take on this challenge,” she said, noting projected growth of 18–20% for the upcoming season and the importance of public–private collaboration, particularly with Global Ports Holding and Global Ports Canary Islands.
Santana, president of Puertos del Estado, noted that Las Palmas was selected as host “not only because it ranks as the third-busiest cruise port in Spain, but also due to the State Ports system’s firm commitment to quality—quality of infrastructure and services, quality of the passenger welcome, quality of the connection with the destination, and a strong commitment to sustainability.”
Pablo Rodríguez, regional minister for Public Works, Housing and Mobility, stressed that hosting Seatrade Cruise Med 2026 “is a strategic opportunity to position the Canary Islands at the center of the global cruise industry.” He underscored the archipelago’s operational capacity, connectivity and appeal as a global destination, and highlighted the region’s efforts to modernize port infrastructure in line with industry trends such as digitalization, sustainability and enhanced passenger experience.
He also pointed to the value of the Canary Islands’ smart eco-port model and the growing role of regional ports in territorial cohesion and economic development. While cruise traffic in these ports is still emerging, initiatives such as the upcoming arrival of a boutique cruise ship in Playa Blanca “demonstrate a clear commitment to quality over quantity.” Preparations for yacht and megayacht operations further reinforce the islands’ position in the high-end nautical segment. With more than 5.7 million passenger movements annually, the ports managed by Puertos Canarios “are already essential to inter-island connectivity and are advancing toward a more innovative, diversified and environmentally responsible model.”
Francesc Grau, Global Ports Holding’s regional director for the Western Mediterranean, highlighted that the newly developed infrastructure in Las Palmas “sets a new standard for sustainable, passenger-focused terminal design,” positioning the port as a strategic Atlantic hub and a gateway between Europe, Africa and the Americas.
Susana Gutiérrez, general director of Global Ports Canary Islands, added that the designation of Las Palmas as host “is a milestone for the entire archipelago, showcasing the strength of our port network and its capacity to host major international events.” The Canary Islands, she said, are emerging as a comprehensive destination with strong connectivity, modern infrastructure and a diversified offering aligned with global market demands.
This positioning is reinforced by the broader evolution of the regional port system, including new terminals in Arrecife and Puerto del Rosario, which have driven strategic investment and enhanced the destination’s competitiveness in the international cruise market.
Seatrade Cruise Global: The World’s Leading Cruise Industry Forum
Seatrade Cruise Global is the cruise industry’s premier international gathering, bringing together cruise lines, port operators, destinations and specialized suppliers. The 2026 edition in Miami Beach drew more than 11,500 attendees, over 650 exhibitors and representatives from more than 125 countries, consolidating its status as the world’s leading forum for business development and strategic decision-making.
In this context, the participation of the Las Palmas Port Authority strengthens its position on the global cruise map, highlighting the Port of Las Palmas as a key player in the future development of cruise tourism in the Atlantic. The Miami event also serves as the main lead-up to the major European industry gathering set to take place in September in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
