CLIA: increase of european cruise travellers in 2016

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the unified voice and leading authority of the global cruise community, confirms a 3.4 per cent increase of European passengers compared with 2015, essentially lead by the German and UK & Ireland markets, according to its annual CLIA survey*, presented this week by Kyriakos Anastassiadis, chairman CLIA Europe and CEO of Celestyal Cruises, at Seatrade Cruise Global 2017.

The European cruising market has been steadily growing for the past ten years, reaching up to 6.7 million European passengers in 2016.

The five-year trend is upward in all European markets, particularly in Germany with a staggering 11.3 per cent growth reaching a record of over 2 million passengers. UK and Ireland was up by 5.6 per cent with nearly 1.9 million cruise guests, and Spain continued its recovery after a drop in 2014, with a cruise market expanding by 4.2 per cent.

Kyriakos Anastassiadis, chairman of CLIA Europe said: “Our growth prediction of cruising in Europe is well confirmed for 2016, despite the socio-political challenges we faced in Europe and some temporarily reduced regional deployment of capacity. 2017 is also looking up with the arrival of 26 new ships and we are looking forward to this very positive prospect. “

In this scenario, Italy remains Europe’s third largest source market, with 751,000 passengers representing 11% of the total European market, although the loss of some percentage points compared to 2015.

“Small losses in 2016 have to be considered in a positive trend lasting since 2013, despite the economic crisis, the regulatory and fiscal problems, as well as problems related to ‘Grandi Navi’ in Venice”, Francesco Galietti (Clia’s national director in Italy), says.

Similar to previous years, 4 out of 5 Europeans chose to cruise in Europe, with half of them going to the Mediterranean and Atlantic islands, and 21 per cent to northern Europe and the Baltic.

However, with reference to the Mediterranean area, according to lately ‘Risposte Turismo’ report, in the last 7 years Italy went beyond the 10 million of passenger movements mark every year, and for the fourth time in a row, it goes beyond 11 million.

Moreover, the Italian market remains focused on the Med as a destination with 74% of Italian bookings.

Key figures for CLIA Europe are:

•    6,674,000 Europeans took a cruise in 2016, for an average duration of 8 nights.
•    Germany leads the source market in Europe with 2,018,000 passengers, a growth of
11,8 per cent in one year – an exceptional result.
•    United Kingdom, with a 5.6 per cent increase in passengers had a record year with almost 1.9 million passengers.
•    Italy remains Europe’s third largest source market, with 751,000 passengers with the
11% of the total European market
•    Spain grew by 4.2 per cent, confirming a two-year recovery since the economic downturn of 2014.
•    4 out of 5 Europeans chose a cruise in Europe. The Mediterranean remains the most popular destination, but Northern Europe is becoming increasingly popular too, growing by 2,1 per cent in 2016.
•    18.3 per cent of ships were deployed in the Mediterranean in 2016, and 11,1 per cent in the rest of Europe.
•    39 cruise lines operated in Europe, deploying 123 ships.
•    The 2015 European Economic Contribution Report established that the Cruise industry in Europe contributed to 360,571 jobs; €41 billion in total contribution and over
11 billion in employee compensation.