Cruise Seaports Networks: Key Relationship Indicators and Information Systems*

Abstract

The aim of this work is to investigate how information on cruise passenger flows are manged in the seaport system. In particular, the paper aims to understand how in the seaport system, characterized by landlord model, the Port Authority (PA) can play its function of controller and coordinator of the whole cruise relationships network when the cruise activity is contracted out to private operator, like as the cruise terminal concessionary companies. So, the analysis is focused on the relationships among the PA, the cruise terminal concessionary company and the ship agents, that are directly involved in the passengers flows information management process (collection, elaboration and reporting). The knowledge of these information is relevant to assume strategic and operative decisions on the port infrastructure investments in order to be more attractive. The passengers flow is in fact directly connected to the port