UK leads the way as European cruise passengers rise
The number of Europeans taking cruises reached a record 4.4 million last year.
The UK continuing to top the list with the greatest number of cruise passengers.
Figures released by the European Cruise Council at the Seatrade cruise convention in Miami show a 10% rise in the number of passengers to 4.4 million.
The UK accounts for 33% of the total with almost 1.5 million passengers (see linked story).
Germany showed strong growth in second place with 21% of the market and 907,000 passengers – a 19% increase on 2007.
Italy, the third largest cruise market in Europe, saw a six per cent increase to 682,000 passengers.
The Mediterranean and Atlantic Islands continued to be the most popular destinations with 2.6 million passengers visiting the region – a market share of 60%.
Fifty-three per cent of passengers booked a cruise holiday lasting between five and seven days.
The number of passengers cruising for more than 22 days increased by 139% to 55,000.
David Dingle, chairman of the ECC and CEO of Carnival UK, said: “The European cruise industry has seen an impressive 66% growth in the number of cruise passengers in the last five years.
“This is a tremendous result and suggests cruising is in a strong position to face today’s challenging economic climate.
“There are 17 cruise ships on order and under construction for the European market for delivery between now and 2012.
“This is significant investment and we anticipate the upward trend in the number of Europeans taking a cruise holiday to continue in 2009.”
|
Passengers (000s)
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
2007
|
2008
|
% change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007-2008
|
|
UK
|
964
|
1,029
|
1,071
|
1,204
|
1,335
|
1,477
|
11
|
|
Germany
|
537
|
583
|
639
|
705
|
763
|
907
|
19
|
|
Italy
|
346
|
400
|
514
|
517
|
640
|
682
|
6
|
|
Spain
|
307
|
300
|
379
|
391
|
518
|
497
|
-4
|
|
France
|
212
|
222
|
233
|
242
|
280
|
310
|
11
|
|
Scandinavia (inc Finland)
|
54
|
56
|
42
|
62
|
94
|
123
|
31
|
|
Benelux
|
42
|
41
|
42
|
64
|
82
|
92
|
11
|
|
Switzerland
|
47
|
50
|
51
|
56
|
64
|
65
|
1
|
|
Austria
|
35
|
38
|
39
|
44
|
52
|
59
|
14
|
|
Portugal
|
14
|
14
|
15
|
18
|
20
|
28
|
41
|
|
Other
|
113
|
101
|
102
|
105
|
155
|
183
|
17
|
|
Total
|
2,671
|
2,835
|
3,126
|
3,409
|
4,004
|
4,442
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Phil Davies
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