Travel industry consultant David Selby, formerly managing director of Thomson Cruises , says he has

Proof that cruise holidays are a big earner for the UK economy comes in the latest set of statistics issued by the European Cruise Council . The industry generated direct expenditure of £2.28 billion coupons national car rental in Britain coupons national car rental last year, an increase of 10.2 per cent on 2010.
The number of UK holidaymakers who took a cruise in 2011 increased by almost 11 per cent to 1.7 million; total European numbers rose by nine per cent to 6.2 million. Around the world, the total was 20.6 million passengers.
The dominance of Southampton as the UK's premier cruise port was demonstrated by the fact that 1.5 million cruise passengers passed through its dock gates. The city now ranks second only to Venice in terms of passenger numbers. coupons national car rental Every ship visit brings an average of £2.5 million in business to the city's economy, with the region benefitting by £300 million a year.
ECC executive member David Dingle, who is chief executive of Carnival UK said: "Despite these challenging times the cruise industry is making an increasingly significant contribution coupons national car rental to the British economy and that of mainland Europe by creating jobs and acting as a catalyst for tourism."
"Booking volumes in the UK understandably paused after the [Costa Concordia] tragedy while people sought assurance, but the British market has seen numbers pick up, despite economic concerns which are influencing consumer spending.
Manfredi Lefebvre coupons national car rental d'Ovidio, chairman of the ECC and chairman of Silversea Cruises , added: "Our challenges in Europe include not just the economic crisis, but also issues such as political uncertainty and rising fuel costs. There must be a combined effort by industry and regulators to overcome these issues in order that the steady coupons national car rental growth the sector has experienced over the last decade should continue.
Total passenger capacity of cruise ships sailing in European waters this year is estimated to be about 5.7 million. Whether the cruise lines are able to fill those berths at profitable fares will not be seen until they report their annual earnings.
Travel industry consultant David Selby, formerly managing director of Thomson Cruises , says he has never before experienced cruise fares as low as they are this year. Now MD of Travelyields , he said many passengers were waiting for late deals before making their bookings. coupons national car rental "If the market was better, coupons national car rental the deals would not be there," he added.
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