Developing a model for analysis of factors that affect cruise port ranking by ship arrivals

Abstract

Cruise ports, as a component of the cruise industry, are strategic transportation infrastructures being the economic contribution they provide to the region. Understanding how and why ships are called at ports is remarkable for researchers, port-operators, and regional decision-makers. In this paper, a comparative model was proposed for the analysis of factors affecting cruise port ranking by ship arrivals. To apply the model, nine ports in the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts of Turkey were analysed with geographic, physical, and operational factors. Methods such as ranking, correlation, and hierarchical clustering were used. A strong correlation was found between the average ranking by eight-factors and the ranking by ship arrivals (ρ = 0.84, p-value < 0.05). Empirical results showed competitive ports, created a cluster (Kusadasi, Izmir, Bodrum) have longer berthing length, shorter sea-distance, and less artificialisation. Application of the model provided statistically reliable and empirically efficient results that guide researchers and practitioners.