The number of people around the world who took a cruise holiday grew by 10 per cent last year – an increase of almost two million people – to top 20 million global ocean cruise passengers for the first time.
The 2011 figures were compiled from industry associations including the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the European Cruise Council, Passenger Shipping Association, International Cruise Council Australasia (ICCA) and industry analysts G P Wild (International) Limited.
The numbers increased from 18.7 million to 20.6 million between 2010 and 2011, with North America (11.5 million) and Europe (6.2 million) identified as the main markets.
Commenting on the release of the numbers, ICCA General Manager Brett Jardine said the global figures were a powerful reminder of the size of the cruise industry and the widespread appeal of cruise holidays.
“The figures not only underline the global strength of the cruise industry, they also confirm the impressive performance of the Australian and New Zealand markets in recent years, particularly given our relatively small populations,” Mr Jardine said.
Christine Duffy, CLIA President and CEO, said: “We are delighted to see 10 per cent annual global growth in cruise passengers last year, with milestones being broken all over the world as growth continues. This is the first time that European figures have passed six million and the first time Australian cruise passengers have topped half a million.
“The latest statistics clearly show that the cruise industry has proved resilient during difficult economic conditions and these results are a testament to the industry’s ongoing innovation and investment. As we continually improve operations, and add new and exciting innovations and itineraries, we’re confident our sector has huge potential for continued growth on a global basis.”
William Gibbons, Director of the Passenger Shipping Association, said British ocean cruise passengers exceeded 1.7 million for the first time in 2011 and were currently the second largest source of cruise passengers in the world.
“We’re looking forward to that growth continuing as new ships come on stream to satisfy demand,” Mr Gibbons said.
European cruise numbers last year were up 9 per cent on the 5.56 million Europeans who took a cruise in 2010.
Countries including the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain and France have seen cruise passengers increase by an average of 7 per cent to 15 per cent in the past five years.
Australia is a region of rapid growth, with cruise passengers increasing by 30 per cent in the past year to exceed more than half a million for the first time. The International Cruise Council Australasia has predicted that there will be one million Australians who will take a cruise holiday in 2020.
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