Total cruise passenger traffic last year amounted to 488,170, an increase of 19.6 per cent over 2006, the National Statistics Office said yesterday.

The main markets were Italy, Spain, and Germany while the American market remained substantial, accounting for virtually half of all non-EU cruise passengers.

Overall, the growth recorded last year was characterised by increases in the Spanish and Italian markets.

Cruise passengers residing here dropped by 4,007 compared to 2006, a fall of 26.5 per cent.

Total cruise passenger traffic last month amounted to 4,913, a dip of 366 passengers (6.9 per cent) over the same month in 2006.

Last month, cruise liner calls slipped by three compared to the same month in 2006. On an annual basis, however, these rose by 13, bringing the total of cruise liner calls last year to 369.