Topic: UK Cruise tourism

Every passenger visit to a UK port generates 97% for local economy

Cruise tourism generates an average expenditure of €97 per passenger port visit for the local economy. The expenditure from 733,300 embarkations and 454,600 port-of-call visits is boosted by the estimated €6.2million spent by approximately 516,500 crew arriving at UK ports.

A typical 2,000-berth cruise ship can bring £170,000 into the local economy. This level of spend is significant and reaffirms our belief that the cruise market has huge potential for British tourism.

454,600 port of call visits (a rise of 7% year-on-year) were made to British ports but, across Europe, there were just under 24million visits so there’s a great market out there to be won.

And other signs are also encouraging - the demand for cruises to northern Europe is growing faster than the Caribbean market.

The British cruise market is anticipated to grow by 8% this year and, in addition, other European markets, notably Germany, are also showing significant growth which further increases the opportunity for inbound tourism’.

Overall (including passenger expenditure) UK figures for 2009 show that the cruise industry generated € 2,408million in direct expenditure which represents 6.4% growth year-on-year. It is estimated that 55,599 jobs are supported at a total compensation package of € 1,953million.

I can believe that.

On CC I joined a roll call for the Eclipse next July. Up until now I would imagine 90% of people on the roll call are not British all of which are obviously staying for at least one night pre cruise. A lot are also touring England first I have seen Cornwall, Devon and of course London.

So it's not just Southampton that gains. That's just one cruise and only includes data from people who are on that particular roll call.