Cruise passengers increased by 7% in 2017

● 94 cruise liner calls in last few months the year

Total cruise passenger traffic during the fourth quarter of 2017 amounted to 187,280, an increase of 5.5% over the corresponding period in 2016, the National Statistics Office said yesterday.

There were 94 cruise liner calls during the fourth quarter of 2017, nine more than the previous year. “At 92.2%, transit passengers accounted for the absolute majority of total traffic, reaching 172,601. A total of 2,858 passengers visited Gozo, while 11,769 passengers spent at least one night on board their berthed cruise liner. On average, every vessel that berthed in Malta carried 1,992 passengers, 96 less than the previous year.

“Visitors from EU Member States comprised 67.3% of total traffic, the major markets being Italy, Germany, France and the United Kingdom. The total number of passengers from Non-EU countries stood at 61,267, of whom 38.5% came from United States.”

“On a gender basis, female passengers made up 53.9% of the total. The largest share of passengers fell within the 60-79 age bracket and were followed by those aged between 40 and 59.”

January-December 2017

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Total cruise passengers for 2017 stood at 670,135, a rise of 7% over 2016. Of these, 70.7% came from EU Member States. The biggest increase was recorded from the British market, which advanced by 55,707 passengers.

Female passengers numbered 356,802 and were in the majority. Most passengers were between 60 and 79 years old, amounting to 254,242. These were followed by passengers aged 40-59, reaching 216,487.

There were 342 cruise liner calls in 2017, with an average 1,959 passengers per vessel, compared to 316 calls and an average 1,981 passengers per vessel in 2016.