May/June 2013 pdf - Port Canaveral

a training ship for the Royal Spanish
Navy, docked at Cruise Terminal 3 on the
Port’s south side and opened its gangway
to a reception of invited guests, students
and the general public for free tours.
Built in 1927, the Elcano has been a
training site for generations of Spanish
military officers. The four-masted
schooner has 20 sails, which take the
crew up to two hours to hoist. When
the sails fully are deployed, the ship is
transformed into a graceful waterborne
creature covered in billowing white
feathers. Inside, the Elcano is filled
with 20th century history and maritime
technology.
$4.3 Million
Economic Impact
The Port Canaveral tall ship visits were
designated as signature events in the
Viva Florida 500 celebration, receiving
widespread statewide publicity from
the Florida Department of Tourism and
attracting tens of thousands of visitors.
It was hosted by the National Air, Sea
and Space Foundation, an educational
non-profit organization founded in 2010
and based in Cocoa Beach. Foundation
Chairman and event organizer Bryan
Lilley estimated the event attracted more
than 45,000 people, including 18,500
overnight visitors, and brought $4.3
million into the local tourism economy
through hotel stays, food and beverage
sales and other visitor spending.
“This is an opportunity that doesn’t
come very often,” said Kalina Subido-
Spanish Royal Navy training ship, Juan Sebastián de Elcano
Person, director of marketing for the
Space Coast Office of Tourism. “It’s a
coup for our area.”
“It’s a perfect example of the way in
which this Port can serve as a venue
for very special events that pull in large
numbers of visitors. The recent Super
Boat races were another example,”
commented Port Authority Secretary/
Treasurer Frank Sullivan. “We are excited
to open our doors for events like this that
both entertain and financially benefit our
community.”
May/June 2013 PORT CANAVERAL 5