Challenging year ahead for cruise industry

This year is set to be a very challenging one for the cruise liner industry in Malta after two ships last year decided to decrease their number of port calls, Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella warned.

Addressing travel agents, journalists and other guests aboard the luxurious Costa Favolosa this afternoon, Mr Vella said the Government was hoping to lure these ships back by 2014.    

The Government will also be working on improving berthing facilities at Pinto 4 and 5 wharfs to decrease congestion on one side of the port.

It will also be giving importance to the cruise business in Gozo by relocating the buoy in Xlendi.

The minister also said that temporary gaming licences to allow cruise ships berthed in Malta to operate casinos will be issued after the necessary legal notice is published. This decision, he said, had already been approved by Parliament.

Last year, Malta received 322 cruise liner calls, bringing over just under 2,000 passengers to our shores on each call.

80 per cent of the passengers sailed in from Europe, mainly Germany, Italy, France, UK and Spain.

The US, Canada, Australia and Canada were the biggest markets out of the continent.

The industry has registered increases from all markets, apart from some declines from the American and Italian market.

“Each and every Government gives the sector the importance it deserves.

The 600,000 passengers who visited our shores last year were all given a first taste of Malta. After their initial first visit, some passengers become repeat visitors, opting to return to Malta as a separate holiday”, Mr Vella said.

Apart from the cruise liner port calls, the fly and cruise sector has also registered a 15 per cent increase.