The facilities of Ostelea, University School of Tourism Management, served as the venue for the presentation by CLIA Spain of the results of the Cruise Outbound Market figures 2016-2018 for Europe and Spain.
Alfredo Serrano, national director of CLIA Spain, was accompanied at the presentation to the press and institutions of the sector, of the results and evolution 2016-2018 of the Spanish cruise market by the main managers of the shipping companies that operate in the Spanish market (Carnival, Costa, MSC, Ponant, Pullmantur, Royal Caribbean, Silversea).
Cruise Market Growth
With an important role in international tourism, cruise travel continues to rise with an increase of almost 7% from 2017 to 2018, reaching a total of 28.5 million passengers.
Although the cruise sector represents 2% of the global travel industry, this segment is outperforming international tourism figures worldwide.
According to the latest World Tourism Barometer from the World Tourism Organization, international tourist arrivals grew by 6% in 2018, reaching 1.4 billion trips, while cruise travel increased by almost 7% during the same period.
According to Alfredo Serrano, National Director of CLIA Spain: “CLIA and its cruise lines are committed to combining the industry's growth opportunities with sustainability, to ensure that this growth is managed responsibly and translates into real benefits for the destinations we visit, local communities and our guests.”
European overview:
In 2018, the number of cruise passengers who traveled through European waters grew by 3.3% compared to 2017, to 7.17 million, after experiencing a growth of 2% the previous year.
Strong growth was observed in European passengers traveling to the Eastern Mediterranean, with an 8.5% increase to 746,000 passengers, illustrating the beginning of a return to confidence in the region. Other areas showing significant growth, from a smaller base, are the Canary Islands, with a 9.6% increase, and the Baltic, with a 9% increase.
The central and western Mediterranean region remains the number one destination for European cruise passengers, growing by 1.2%, equivalent to 2.27 million passengers. Northern Europe, meanwhile, saw a 4.8% increase in 2018, reaching 1.43 million passengers.
CLIA Europe Secretary General Tom Boardley says : “Seeing key European regions such as Northern Europe, the Canary Islands and the Baltic countries experiencing significant growth is a great indicator that more Europeans are sailing within the region and to a wider selection of destinations.”
Spain
In 2018 the volume of cruise passengers amounted to 530,000, 3.9% more than in 2017, which - added to the 6.4% increase that occurred in 2017 compared to the previous year - represents a growth in the last two years of 11%.
The average Spanish cruise passenger is 46 years old and takes cruise trips with an average duration of 7.3 days, compared to 7.5 in 2017.
Regarding destinations, the Western Mediterranean continues the trend and slows down to 50% of cruise trips by Spanish passengers, compared to 52% the previous year, although it remains the overall leader in terms of preferred destinations for cruise passengers in our market, followed by the Eastern Mediterranean, which rises to 17.6% from 15.9% the previous year, and the Baltic – Northern Europe (17.4%) which maintains its place as the third preferred destination for Spanish cruise passengers.
Other destinations such as the Caribbean/Bahamas/Bermuda (7.3%) and the Canary Islands, which grew to 3.6% in 2018 from 2.5% the previous year, continue to consolidate their position among the preferences of Spanish cruise passengers.
According to Alfredo Serrano, director of CLIA Spain, “our country consolidates its position as the 4th largest source market in Europe with 530,000 cruise passengers in 2018, 3.9% more than the previous year.”
“Spain is thus among the fastest growing markets in recent years, having been the second fastest growing European market in the last two years, surpassed only in 2018 by Italy and in 2017 by Germany.”.
Among other relevant data, it is worth noting that our country is one of the youngest markets in Europe, with an average age of 46 years, and that the Mediterranean and Northern Europe continue to be the favorite destinations for Spanish cruise passengers.
Alfredo Serrano added: “CLIA and its members are fully committed to continuing the path of responsible growth for the cruise industry. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, and no industry has a stronger interest in protecting the oceans and destinations. Every day, the entire cruise industry works to improve through strategic partnerships, new technologies, and bold commitments in the area of sustainability.”.
