Greek versus Spanish Cruise Market - Facts and Statistics

Data, presented by the European Cruise Council (ECC) shows that despite the economic crisis, the European cruise industry in 2011 has maintained its significant growth. The total contribution of the global cruise industry in the European economy increased and reached a record 36.7 billion in 2011 (from 35.2 billion in 2010), with an overall increase of 54% since 2006.

Greece

Greece is one of the main cruise destinations in Europe. The revenue of the country from cruise related activities was for 2011 234 million euros, equivalent to 2.4 of the European total. 46% of these revenues came from the transportations sector and 17% of the repairs.

The number though of cruise passengers that have called Greece for the same season was 4.780.000, ranking third, behind Italy and Spain.

It is clear from the above figures that Greece has great potential to increase its revenues from cruise. In order to maximize the benefits of this industry, one of the solutions would be to develop homeporting.

Spain V Greece 

If a large country like Spain which counts 703,000 cruise passengers (Spaniards), while comes first in total number of passengers calling its ports (5,255,000 passengers) and second in number of passengers who embarked from Spanish ports (1,384,000 passengers) had revenues only 834 million.

Among other, Spain is the first in number of cruise passengers for the following reasons:

• Easy access to major markets such as the United States and Latin America due to frequent air connections.

• Existence of a significant local cruise market - 703,000 Spaniards took a cruise during 2011.

• Number and quality of port facilities.

• Existence of a thriving tourist industry with the support of local communities and the state.

• Proximity to other countries that are also major cruise destinations.