CLIA warns of a slowdown in European cruise industry growth
CLIA Europe has warned that a lack of port infrastructure, EU environmental laws and Europe’s restrictions on tourists from outside the EU are putting the brakes on market growth.
Pierfrancesco Vago, CLIA Europe’s chairman, said the cruise industry contributed €40.2 billion to the economy last year, up 2%.
However, he said growth was slower than in previous years and warned that although long-term trends remained positive, ‘the future could be much brighter’.
Speaking at the opening session of Seatrade Europe in Hamburg, Vago said: "A number of critical constraints to the industry’s further growth need urgent addressing if we want to ensure that the cruise industry will continue to be a solid contributor to Europe’s economy."
He adde: "Many European ports are struggling to keep up with the cruise industry’s rapid growth. Upgrading port infrastructure throughout Europe is a necessary investment that would open new routes and destinations, and further boost the industry’s economic impact on land.
"We also need to make sure that more European ports have adequate facilities allowing cruise ships to discharge wastewater onshore."
Talking about the inconsistent application of EU legislation in Europe’s ports, Raphael von Heereman, CLIA Europe’s secretary general, said: "The way certain pieces of EU legislation are applied across Europe can be compared to a patchwork quilt, which is affecting our ability to optimise our ships’ operational efficiency.
"The EU Sulphur Directive is a prime example. While cruise lines invest in expensive, open-loop scrubber technology to comply with the Directive, in remains unclear in which ports they will be able to use it. EU Member States need to focus on aligning the application of European legislation all their ports to avoid this confusion."
Von Heereman said there was also a need for Europe to allow more tourists from outside the EU. "Europe is among the world’s most restrictive regions in terms of visa requirements for foreign nationals, and is subsequently losing six million potential tourists every year at a crucial time of economic recovery.
"The proposed EU Visa Code reform is a vital start to improving tourism flows in Europe. But the EU institutions must swiftly adopt and implement the new legislation, or risk depriving the EU of even more precious tourism revenues when it needs them most."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025