5.7% more cruise passenger traffic in second quarter

Total cruise passenger traffic during the second quarter increased by 5.7 per cent to 123,364, compared to the corresponding period last year. There were 89 cruise liner calls as opposed to 80 last year.

Transit passengers accounted for the vast majority of total traffic (96.5 per cent), reaching 119,033. Around 55 passengers visited Gozo, while 6,183 passengers spent at least one night on board their berthed cruise liner.

Visitors from EU Member States accounted for 73.7 per cent of total traffic, with the major markets being Italy, France and the United Kingdom.

On the other hand, the total number of passengers from Non-EU countries stood at 32,492, of which 37.9 per cent came from the United States.

On a gender basis, female passengers accounted for 53.1 per cent of the total. The largest share of passengers fell within the 60-79 age bracket, followed by those aged between 40 and 59.

Total cruise passengers during the first half of 2014 stood at 161,502, a rise of 15.8 per cent over 2013 levels. Of these, 78.2 per cent came from EU Member States.

The highest increases were recorded from the French and Italian markets, which advanced by 13,772 and 5,886 passengers respectively.

Female passengers numbered 85,535, and were in the majority. Most of the cruise passengers were between 60 and 79 years old, amounting to 72,274. These were followed by passengers aged 40-59, totalling 46,103.

There were 112 cruise liner calls during the first six months this year, with an average 1,442 passengers per vessel, compared to 93 calls and an average 1,499 passengers per vessel in the first half of 2013.