Cruise terminal operator Viset said today that it expected cruise passenger numbers this year to exceed last year's, and it also expected a positive outcome for 2011.

"Viset Malta has pursued its business development efforts to attract more cruise ships to Malta in 2011 and beyond. Positive results are already being registered and while still receiving bookings, VISET Malta is expecting a positive 2011," the company said.

Yesterday, Norman Hamilton, whose company, Hamilton Travel, represents MSC, expressed fears of a decline in cruise visits next year . He said that cruises operated by one of the ships owned by a competing line would cease completely next year and another liner would be making just eight calls to Malta instead of the usual 50 or more.

In a statement this evening, Viset said that passenger movements since January of this year showed a 14% increase over the same period last year. Furthermore, the increase in cruise passenger movements in October 2010 supported its optimism for this year’s performance.

Today five cruise ships berthed in Grand Harbour, with a total of around 3,700 passengers on board. At an average spending rate in Malta of €60 per passenger and including the crew, the combined passenger and crew contribution to the local economy in one single day was estimated at around €250,000.

“We operate in a highly dynamic and competitive industry. Ports in different countries compete against each other to attract cruise lines. Our projections for 2011 are positive and as encouraging as the results for 2010 have revealed” said Viset Malta CEO John Portelli.

Viset said it was continuing its investment programme to support an industry that since 2005 had generated around €250 million to the local economy and was a source of direct and indirect employment to hundreds of households in the Maltese Islands.

It expressed its appreciation to the local agents, the Malta Tourism Authority, Air Malta, Malta International Airport and Transport Malta who were also helping to develop the cruise sector in Malta.

See also

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20101104/local/travel-agent-warns-of-sharp-decline-in-cruise-liner-calls

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