Over 500 maps/brochures of the city and around a thousand cruise passengers who have decided to visit the city independently.
These are the numbers of the first day of the “Welcome to Taranto” info point set up by Confcommercio Taranto near the eastern gate of the port manned from 8.30 to 12.30 on the occasion of the Costa Fascinosa stopover in Taranto. Manned by three staff, in the info point tourists were able to obtain information on cultural itineraries, shopping places, food and wine in Italian, English, Spanish, French, German and Portuguese.
“We had a continuous coming and going of Italian and foreign cruise passengers (European and South American) eager to receive information on itineraries, sites of cultural interest, various curiosities”, confirms Mario Raffo, provincial president of Federmoda/Confcommercio Taranto, one of the main animators of the tourist reception project for cruise passengers put on track, for the second year in a row, by Confcommercio Taranto in collaboration with Taranto Gran Tour and this year with the patronage of the Municipality of Taranto. “We have had ample feedback on the satisfaction of the service offered – continues Raffo – with thanks and even requests for selfies from especially foreign guests. In addition to the tourist information, we even took it upon ourselves to call at least ten taxis.”
This year the info point is located near the merchant port, in a strategic point of passage and more convenient for cruise passengers heading towards the city. Compared to last year, this allows for greater safety and convenience also because, Confcommercio points out, there are many young families with children and strollers.
However, Confcommercio notes, some inconvenience has been experienced by those who start the cruise by embarking from Taranto. “Last Sunday (June 9, ndc) at the entrance to the port – explains Confcommercio – long queues of tourists formed under the scorching sun, with children and people even of advanced age, waiting to pass the security check”. According to the traders’ association, it would be appropriate “to organize a cover, if anything removable, and to install chemical toilets. In this case – concludes Confcommercio – it is appropriate for the Port Authority and municipal administration to identify a useful path to provide an adequate level of accessibility also in a growth perspective”.
The next two calls of the Costa Fascinosa (3,780 passengers and on-board staff) are on Sundays 16 and 23 June while on 30 June, in addition to the Fascinosa, the Tui Mein Schiff (capacity 2,534 people) will also dock.
