Global Ports Holding, the world’s largest cruise port operator, handled a record number of cruise passengers between 31 March 2022 and 31 March 2023, the 9.2 million passengers welcomed at its 27 cruise ports in 14 countries was a 281 per cent increase on the same period in 2022, when just 2.4 million passengers passed through the company’s ports. In the three months to June 2023, the UKbased company welcomed 3.1 million passengers, up from 1.7 million in the same period in 2022. “The outlook for the global cruise industry has perhaps never been stronger,” said Mehmet Kutman, chairman and CEO of Global Ports Holding. “The global cruise fleet is now fully redeployed, occupancy rates are generally back to 100 per cent, and many cruise lines have broken booking records for the 2023 season.” Global Ports Holding records 281 per cent rise in cruise numbers British ports are projected to welcome eight per cent more cruise calls in 2023, compared to 2019’s recordbreaking season, with some regions expected to report figures in excess of this anticipated national growth. Cruise ship calls along the east coast of Scotland have increased by 50 per cent from 2019, with around 150 cruise ships expected to visit Edinburgh, Fife and Dundee in 2023, up from 100 in 2022. “Britain’s distinct national and regional identities help make our islands an outstanding cruise destination and provide a wealth of diverse itineraries within short sailing distances,” said Ian McQuade, general manager of Portland Port, who has been appointed as chair of Cruise Britain until 31 December 2024. Britain set for record-breaking cruise year DID YOU KNOW? According to Cruise Lines International Association, in 2022 British and Irish travellers took 1.7 million cruises, with the average voyage lasting 9.7 days and the average age of the guests being 55.8 years old MARKETWATCH Photo: Alonso Reyes/Unsplash Photo: Cruise Britain 22
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