More cruises in Northern Europe

More cruises in Northern Europe

The most dynamic cruise growth is expected in the Arctic and Iceland. Here, according to experts, passenger traffic will grow by 37%. Norwegian Fjords direction of cruises in Northern Europe will grow by 29%. Norway is optimistic about this season despite the fact that China, one of the most promising markets, was closed for the country. The local authorities have banned Hurtigruten advertisement.

Cruises on the Baltic Sea – here the growth rate appears much lower compared with the previous two regions. However, the ECC expects that the region is quite capable to add 6% in 2012. But the British Isles will increase much more in popularity. Cruise flow increase in this region is expected to grow by 16%.

May 2012 was a record month for sea cruises in Europe not only by attendance, but also by investment activity. In the shipyards of the continent this month at the same time started construction of 5 liner projects, which total budget is estimated at 2 billion Euros. The new vessels will be capable to receive in total 14,191 passengers.

The previous year was not the worst for the European cruise business. In 2011 over 5 million people started their cruises from the ports of the continent. Revenue from cruises in Europe grew by 26%. Today directions of the Old World generate about 1.2 billion Euros per year.

Ilya Kalachev

Date: 06/08/2012