At this year's Cruise Shipping Miami, destinations around the world were releasing new data on the trends driving the cruise industry.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) released two new studies on Asia's cruise market, the Asia Cruise Potential and Passenger Behaviour Study and the Asia Cruise Port Development Study.
Initiated by HKTB, the two studies were carried out by the School of Hotel and Tourism Management of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University with the aim of providing insight and useful information on the region's cruise potential.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) also had its eye on Asia, with the release of the Asia Cruise Trends study.
Overall, the data reveals the cruise industry in Asia is experiencing robust double-digit growth of cruise ships, passengers and ports in the region.
In Northern Europe, Network Cruise Baltic rolled out its Market Review 2015.
The survey, conducted among all 28 Cruise Baltic destinations – including, for accuracy purposes, data from additional destinations St Petersburg, Kiel and Riga – reports on 2014 results and those anticipated for 2015.
The figures presented in the report were based on a collection of data from ports in the Baltic Sea region as of December 2014.
In Mexico, Acapulco promoted its services, off-shore experiences and improved infrastructure.
At the end of 2014, Acapulco announced the return of 10 ships from Norwegian Cruise line (NCL) for 2015’s cruising season. Each ship is able to transport roughly 3,000 passengers for a total arrival rate of 30,000 tourists, a venture anticipated to impact the port’s economy and add yet another source of connectivity for international travelers. Tourists are projected to spend approximately $3.6 million dollars when exploring the area while off the ship. Recent developments in the cruise segment also include the arrival of the transatlantic Artania, carrying more than 1,000 passengers, marking the first-time visit of a German ship to the port. The New Year kicked off with the arrival of Silver Spirit from the V-Ship Line on January 17, the first of 14 arrivals programmed for 2015. Acapulco welcomed the boat with a special show at La Quebrada, one of the port’s key attractions.
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