By
Rebecca Gibson |
The UK’s Portland Port expects to welcome 44 cruise calls and more than 62,000 passengers in 2019 – a 38% and 72% increase from the record-breaking 32 cruise visits and 36,000 people it hosted in 2018.
Portland’s cruise traffic has risen substantially since 2008, when it handled just four ship calls and 2,000 passengers, to the record figures achieved in 2018. Next year, the port will welcome several larger cruise ships and host maiden visits from Pullmantur and Princess Cruises. Together with an increased number of calls, this will boost the cruise sector’s contribution to Portland’s local economy from €3.4 million (US$3.8 million) to €5.8 million.
“It is exciting to see everyone’s hard work pay off with the ever-increasing number of cruise ships that are choosing to visit Portland Port and the local area,” said Ian McQuade, general manager of commercial operations at the port.