By
Rebecca Gibson |
Figures released by the Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) on 5 March 2013 indicate a record year for the UK cruise industry, with British passengers embarking on 1,701,000 cruises in 2012.
Despite the economic recession and the industry challenges caused by the Costa Concordia incident, UK departures increased by 10 per cent to 962,000, while an additional 1000 Britons took an ocean cruise holiday. British tourists taking more than one cruise rose to 54 per cent, while 374,220 booked three or more cruises within the year.
There has also been a rise in the number of ships visiting the UK, with a record 52 British ports receiving cruise calls in 2012, while passenger figures reached 723,000 marking an 11 per cent growth. British ports are on course to reach the one million mark in 2013, helped by the numbers at the south coast ports of Southampton, Dover and Portsmouth, which have seen the greatest increases.
Northern Europe also experienced a 29 per cent escalation in the number of reservations, with 443,000 British passengers visiting the area. Around 200,000 opted for cruises to the Norwegian fjords, which formed 44.5 per cent of the total bookings, making it the most favourable Northern European destination. Mediterranean itineraries remained popular, with 698,000 visiting the region.
“The increase in passenger figures bears testament to the value and diversity that cruising represents and the positive experiences that bring passengers back time and time again,” said William Gibbons, PSA director. “We feel 2012’s record results for British ports are particularly remarkable and we very much look forward to seeing UK ports achieve the million mark in 2013, and the associated economic benefits that this will bring to the country.”