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Cruise News for the Corporate Travel Professional |
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Germans discover cruising with surges with over 1m ocean-going passengers in 2009 and expectations of a 13.2$ increase for 2010 |
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More than a million Germans took ocean-going
cruises in 2009, a higher than expected 13.2% increase and the first time the
country’s passenger count exceeded the 1m mark. The news was announced by
the German Travel Association (DRV) at ITB, the giant Berlin travel show that
wrapped up Sunday evening. The numbers were presented by Michael Thamm,
president of AIDA Cruises and chairman of DRV’s Shipping Commission. Germany’s ocean cruise sector has grown at an average rate of 12% in recent years, so 2009 – a recession year – showed an above-average hike. ‘Without doubt cruise travel belongs to the strongest growing tourism segments,’ Thamm said, adding that another two-digit increase is expected for 2010. ‘2010 is going to be another very, very good year,’ he predicted, calling Germany ‘the real emerging market’ in cruising, with huge potential for further growth. DRV found 1,025,968 Germans took ocean-going cruises, generating a total turnover of €1.9bn, 14% more than in 2008. The price of an ocean cruise averaged €1,881, up less than 1% in 2008. A dozen national operators carried a 57% share of the passenger count, while 22 international operators active in Germany served the remaining 43%. The average cruise duration was 9.73 days. The most popular destination remained the Mediterranean, with a 33% share, although the area recorded 7% fewer passengers. Other popular destinations included the Caribbean and US ports, the Nordic countries (which recorded 25% growth, bringing them up to a 15% market share), Western Europe, the Atlantic Isles and the Baltic (which grew by 14%, to achieve an 11% market share). Arabian destinations, although still with a limited market share, saw very significant growth as well. Distribution channels remained consistent with 2008. Once again, 79% of all deep-sea cruises were sold by travel agencies, 9% by tour operators, 7% directly and 5% via new media. According to DRV’s survey, 70% of cruise operators expect more passengers and higher turnover this year while 18% predict similar results to those of 2009. The river cruise segment saw more modest development, with passenger volume increasing by 3.2%, to 396,075. Turnover declined slightly, from €442.9m to €423.7m. For 2010 DRV predicts slight growth in the river segment and forecasts that passenger volumes will exceed 400,000. Some 70% of the river cruise operators active on the German market expect more passengers and higher turnover this year, while 13% predict a similar result as in 2009. |
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