With 29 calls in 2017, Haarlem had clearly already been bouncing back in terms of river cruise traffic. This year promises to be even more impressive, with an extraordinary 80 or more calls expected The river cruise sector is predicted to bring more than 9,000 visitors with substantial purchasing power to the city. The maiden call on 15 April of the cruise vessel The A operated by Uniworld was typical of this trend. River cruise vessels have become an increasingly important activity in Haarlem, and now require careful management and organisation as well as promotion. The partnership between the municipality and ACP is therefore now extending to making the growing economic impact of the river cruise sector more apparent and anchoring cruises more profoundly in the region. An article in the local newspaper Stadskrant reported that a study by the research firm Decisio had found last year that each vessel that docks at Haarlem yields around 10,000 euros for the city on average. This includes expenditures such as excursions, port dues, bus transport and spending by passengers on restaurants, shops and museums. “It delivers real benefits for the city. This is why the practical partnership between the various local parties, owners and tour operators and ACP will in the coming years focus on information, data sharing, and representing the interests of the cruise industry. It is important to keep the spotlight on Haarlem as an attractive destination in terms of cultural & tourist attractions as well as tourist demand (boat owners, tour operators and sellers of cruise travel) ” says Djoeke Kalis of the municipality of Haarlem. It is important that river cruise traffic continue becoming more sustainable and making a substantial contribution to the local economy. Long-term relationships between municipalities, Haarlem Marketing and port services, ACP, and boat owners and operators are key in this context. Other examples of intensive cooperation for the purpose of serving the market can be seen in the information provided by Haarlem Marketing to cruise organisations on current exhibitions at the Frans Hals Museum (www.franshalsmuseum.nl) and the Teylers Museum (https://www.teylersmuseum.nl), as well as other cultural and tourist destinations. Number of calls: 2018: 80+ 2017: 29 2016: 22 2015: 32 2014: 10 2013: 15