Cruise ship arrivals down 7.3% last month

A total of 22 cruise ships called at Grand Harbour last month, bringing 51,526 passengers, a drop of 7.3% from August last year.

Viset, the cruise terminal operator, said the drop was largely attributable to the decision by one of the cruise lines to follow a different Mediterranean itinerary to that of last year.

The number of passengers who arrived in Grand Harbour since the beginning of the year stands at 298,409 compared to 240,822 registered during the first eight months of 2009, an increase of 24 per cent on last year.

"The expected improvement in business in 2010, when compared to 2009 strengthens Viset's resolve to pursue its business development whilst at the same time promote the Port of Valletta and Malta as a safe, reliable and emerging key cruise destination in the Mediterranean," the company said.