The America's Cup sailing trophy will go on a tour like the Olympic Games torch

The arrival of the America's Cup in Barcelona has managed to generate broad consensus among the different administrations and civil society, as well as helping the city regain some self-esteem and injecting a dose of optimism. With the aim of leveraging this momentum, the competition organizers are thinking of ways to make it more accessible and reach all citizens. One of them will use a very popular and globally known formula. They want to replicate the preliminary parade of the Olympic Games torch. In the absence of a torch, the historic America's Cup trophy is warming up to go on tour.

This was explained by the president of the Port of Barcelona, Damià Calvet, at a breakfast organized by Foment del Treball and PwC. "We will do a tour that will have to go to many places: wherever there is sailing, such as ports, clubs or the Catalan Sailing Federation, also to Madrid and Europe. It will go to places where it can capture attention, make it attractive and generate expectation," he stated.

This parade will not be the only activity organized to showcase the sports competition in the city, the oldest in the world and one of those with the greatest economic and media impact, only behind the Olympic Games and football World Cups. Calvet also detailed that, although no major works will be necessary, already planned investments will be accelerated so that they are ready by 2024. One of them will be the opening to the public of Moll Drassanes and Moll Barcelona, where ferries and cruises currently dock. The sheds of Moll de Sant Bertran and Moll Oriental will also be updated, and it is expected to be able to open the new fish market.

During his presentation, Calvet detailed some of the figures that the America's Cup will mean for the Catalan capital. Not only is there the expected economic impact of 1,000 million euros, but, according to City Council calculations, 2,000 direct and indirect jobs are expected to be generated and one million visitors attracted. In addition, Calvet stressed that it will influence the city's positioning as a capital of the blue economy. "It will act as a catalyst for nautical activities, just as the Mobile World Congress does for technology," he defended.

The event's budget is estimated to be 50 million euros, of which 75% will be allocated to the city, both for the construction of the necessary spaces and infrastructure for its celebration and for the provision of services to the competing teams. In the 2024 edition, a total of six teams will compete, each consisting of 300 people. One of them, the Swiss Alinghi Red Bull Racing, will be the first to arrive to start training.

Debate on cruises

At the breakfast, Calvet also assessed the negotiation being carried out with the City Council to regulate cruise tourism arriving in the city. The president of the Port asked not to compare itself with other cities that have restricted their quantity, such as Palma de Mallorca, Venice, or Dubrovnik, taking into account that they have different characteristics. "The model is Barcelona and we want to develop a model that provides added value," he pointed out.

Likewise, he asked not to blame cruise passengers for overcrowding in the city, emphasizing that they only represent 4% of the total and have an economic impact of 1,000 million euros and generate 9,000 jobs, in addition to representing a low environmental impact. "The balance is clearly positive," said the former Minister of Territory and Sustainability.