Cruise industry to reach new heights

Competitiveness Minister Censu Galea yesterday said Malta's cruise liner industry was set to break new records this year. Speaking at the opening of the International Ship Suppliers Association (ISSA) Trade Exhibition at St Julians, he said the...

Competitiveness Minister Censu Galea yesterday said Malta's cruise liner industry was set to break new records this year.

Speaking at the opening of the International Ship Suppliers Association (ISSA) Trade Exhibition at St Julians, he said the industry had blossomed over the years, bringing in 400,000 cruise liner passengers and over 360 cruise ships last year.

"This year we seem to be heading for new records, with 165,000 passengers in the first six months, up 24.6 per cent on the same period last year," he said.

As vessels get larger, the average number of passengers per visit goes up, from 858 in 2005 to 1,221 this year, he added.

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