The resilience of the UK cruise industry in spite of January’s Costa Concordia tragedy was demonstrated today with the forecast of a rise in numbers this year and 2013.
Figures released at WTM by the Passenger Shipping Association estimate that 1.72 million Britons will take an ocean cruise this year – up 20,000 on the figure achieved in 2011.
The number is forecast to rise by more than 2% next year to 1.76 million on the back of continued investment in new and refurbished cruise ships, a “fiercely competitive” market and the continued popularity of cruises from UK ports.
The PSA says this year’s rise has been achieved despite a challenging year for the industry following the Concordia incident and a protracted subdued UK economic climate for consumers that has seen market falls in many other sectors of the travel industry.
About eight out of ten UK cruise sales come through travel agents, spearheaded by those specially trained to advise on cruise options through the Association of Cruise Experts.
Almost $5 billion has been invested globally by the industry in six new cruise ships this year, and a further $3.2 billion will be spent on six more ships due to enter service next year. These include new vessels for Aida Cruises, Compagnie du Ponant, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises.
Long-term orders stretch out at an even higher level to 2015, representing more than $12 billion of investment in new ships over the next three years.
PSA director Bill Gibbons said: “There is no doubt that the cruise industry faced a unique set of challenges this year but our UK figures show that the cruise sector has outperformed the rest of the holiday sector.
“The sheer diversity of cruises offered by our 41 members, coupled with unrivalled value for money has helped to attract the ‘new to cruise customer’, key to boosting growth within our sector.”
He added: “The undiminished investment in new ships and product innovation is also encouraging with six new cruise ships commissioned in 2012, and six more are scheduled for launch in each of the next three years.
“There is no doubt that value will still be an absolute priority for UK holidaymakers in 2013 and a cruise is one of the best ways to have a unique experience whatever your holiday budget.”