Seatrade Med Cruise & Ferry Convention Highlighted Growth in Europe
The Mediterranean as a key area for the development of the cruise industry was the subject of the October 19 session at the Seatrade Med Cruise & Ferry Convention entitled The Mediterranean Cruise Arena.
During his opening address at the Convention, Pier Luigi Foschi, Chairman & CEO of Costa Crociere and Chairman of the European Cruise Council, the association of Europe’s main cruise sector operators, presented updated statistics about the growth of the cruise industry, and forecast of its economic impact.
Gianni Onorato, Director of Costa Crociere, focused on the market potential of the cruise industry in Europe, underlining also cruise key success factors and future challenges.
According to Mr. Onorato cruise industry key success are represented by the quality of service, the best value for money and the advertising investments. Future challenges are the maintenance of the quality of service, the improvement of shore side infrastructures and the offer of new destinations in the Mediterranean Sea.
Mr. Onorato also commented figures concerning the growth of cruise industry in Europe, where the number of passengers rose from 2,672,000 in 2003 to 3,213,000 in 2005, a solid 13 percent increase.
One of the major players in the growth of the cruise industry in Europe and the Mediterranean is Costa Crociere, the leading cruise company in Europe and South America.
Between 2000 and 2005 the Italian operator tripled its sales and the number of its Guests (867,000 in 2005), and the latter figure is expected to top the one-million mark in 2007.
Costa Crociere was also the first company to offer winter cruises in the Mediterranean. During 2006 the Company will operate a total of 276 Mediterranean cruises, with deployment of all 11 ships in its fleet, and a choice of some 13 ports of embarkation and disembarkation for its Guests (Barcelona, Palma de Majorca, Marseilles, Savona, Civitavecchia, Naples, Palermo, Messina, Catania, Bari, Ancona, Venice and Trieste).
