Larger ships are bringing more travellers to the region, according to new MedCruise report
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Mediterranean ports are expected to handle 27 million cruise passenger movements in 2018, according to a new MedCruise report.
Presented at Seatrade Cruise Global, MedCruise’s annual cruise statistics report found that cruise passenger movements rose to a record 25.9 million in 2017 – 18% more than in 2007 when 21.9 million people passed through MedCruise member ports.
Collectively, MedCruise member ports welcomed 12,139 cruise calls. Although this represents a 22% drop from the 15,475 calls recorded in 2008, ports are welcoming larger vessels. In fact, 2017 was the third consecutive year that the average number of passengers per cruise call surpassed 2,000.
“The statistics of 2017 reveal the positive features in several parts of the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas,” said Airam Díaz Pastor, MedCruise president. “We all work to support members in their efforts to invest and attract more cruise activities in the MedCruise region and are committed to develop the strategy voted by the General Assembly in October 2017 to further enhance the position of MedCruise ports and the association itself in the cruise industry.”
Read the full MedCruise report here.