Costa confirmed as number one in cruising in Europe
The second “European Cruise Contribution†report of the European Cruise Council highlights the growing economic impact of the cruise industry in Europe, with in 2006 direct expenditure of 10.6 billion euros (+27%), 225,600 employees (+20%), 3.4 million cruisers (+9%) and 15.2 million passenger visits in European ports (+21%).
The Italian company Costa, has confirmed its position as the leader in Europe with 1,100,000 total Guests in 2007, 12 ships in service and 5 new liners on order worth 2.4 billion euros and according to the latest European Cruise Council (ECC) figures, the expansion of the industry is exceeding expectations in terms of its impact on jobs, wealth creation and inbound tourism in Europe.
The second edition of the “European Cruise Contribution†report of the ECC, presented last week in Brussels, shows direct expenditure by cruise companies, shipyards and passengers of 10.6 billion euros in 2006, a 27% increase on the previous year.
Each million euros invested in the cruise industry generated 2.2 million euros in business output and 21 jobs paying an average wage of 33,500 euros.
Europe’s position as the world leader in cruise ship design and construction is helping to drive this growth: the ECC report estimates that during 2006 the global cruise industry spent over 4.1 billion euros on cruise ship construction and maintenance in Europe, while at the end of 2006 European yards had 36 new builds on order worth a total of 14.9 billion euros, including 20% accounted for by the 8 Costa Crociere S.p.A. group (4 for Costa Cruises and 4 for Aida Cruises) then under construction in Italy and Germany at Fincantieri and Meyer Werft.
There was also a rise in the number of people employed in the cruise industry in Europe, with approximately 225,000 jobs in 2006, 20% more than the year before.
Cruising remains a major source of inbound tourism for European countries. Between 1995 and 2006, demand for cruising worldwide more than doubled from 5.7 million to 15.15 million.
A Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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