Matching cruise industry growth and cruise port capacities
Cruise Europe and its more than 100 member ports between Gibraltar in the South, Kirkenes in the North and Lulea in the Baltic still has the potential for growth. Only 75% of the potential cruise ports along the Atlantic coast are members; also one has to include the potential of the cruise ports in Greenland and the area east of the North Cape. The tourist organisations of the ports, the regions, the countries can help as members to make Cruise Europe stronger in marketing the destination Northern Europe to the cruise lines.
The aim for Cruise Europe is to match the ongoing growth of the cruise industry in offering better infrastructure in the member ports, which means more cruise terminals, or to point out the diversity of the many destinations and attractions in Northern Europe.
Cruise Europe has to open a dialogue with the cruise lines with the intention to spread the growing number of cruise ships and the even bigger cruise passenger capacities over more ports, over more cruise areas, over more countries. The success of the Baltic is also possible in the areas of West Europe, of UK & Ireland and of Norway and Iceland. Cruise lines have to be convinced that all four cruise areas in Northern Europe have equal attractions and many good ports to host the growing cruise fleet.
The members of Cruise Europe have to market their cruise area as an attractive cruise destination in its own. To sell just one port to the cruise line does not help. Cruise ports have to work together to form an itinerary, which works for the cruise lines.
Despite the global recession the cruise industry will grow because of the high customer satisfaction. Nowhere customers can find such a perfect holiday: visiting many new destinations, being served with great food in an excellent manner, enjoying state-of-the-art cruise ships with outstanding entertainment, wellness, relaxation and fun. Cruise Europe is part of this cruise product and partner of the cruise lines. Let’s grow with our customers.
