Costa claims bookings record
Costa Cruises has forecast annual carryings of one million passengers by 2007.
The prediction came as the Italian line released figures showing a 19% rise in carryings last year to 870,000 over 730,000 in 2004.
Costa claimed bookings in December and January for 2006 sailings are up by a record of 30% year-on-year.
The addition of three new sister ships to bring the fleet size up to 13 vessels by 2009 will result in a 50% increase in total capacity.
The first of the new additions is 3,780-passenger flagship Costa Concordia, due to enter service in July offering year-round Mediterranean cruises. This will be followed by Costa Serena in May 2007 and the third, as yet unnamed, ship in summer 2009.
Featues on Concorida will include a Formula 1 simulator, a giant outdoor film screen and a spa located over two decks with direct access from 55 cabins and 12 suites.
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive