Member ports welcomed record number of guests in 2018 and expect further growth in 2019
By
Elly Yates-Roberts |
A record number of cruise guests visited Cruise Baltic’s member ports in 2018 and projections for 2019 show even further growth, according to a new report released at Seatrade Cruise Global this week.
The Cruise Baltic Market Review report showed that the 29 ports in the Cruise Baltic network welcomed more than 5.4 million cruise guests – a 7.3% rise from 2017.
“The development shows that the cooperation between the Cruise Baltic ports is an effective launch pad for growth, where we have a clear focus on developing the cruise destinations and creating high guest experiences,” said Claus Bødker, director of Cruise Baltic. “At the same time, the record is an attestation that the Baltic Sea ports have managed to adapt to market trends and, for example, facilitate today’s larger ships.”
According to the Cruise Baltic Market Review, the Port of Copenhagen was the busiest port in the Baltic region in 2018, welcoming over 800,000 cruise guests. This figure also shows the highest number of guests in the city in history. The report also indicates that the next busiest ports were Rostock, Germany; St. Petersburg, Russia; Tallinn, Estonia; and Stockholm, Sweden.
“The prognosis for this year looks very promising,” said Bødker. “Last year, the Baltic ports could welcome no less than 5.4 million cruise guests and we expect to top the record this year, where we expect to welcome 5.8 million cruise guests.”