Cruise Baltic reviews the last cruise year and highlights calls in every month throughout the year in 2022
The last three years has been marked by unpredictable events which still affects the Baltic Sea region. Despite the geopolitical situation, there are positive highlights in Cruise Baltic’s annual market review. In 2022 at least one Baltic port welcomed calls every month and the total number of guests, calls and turnarounds have increased significantly since 2021.
Today’s geopolitical situation impacts industries and people around the world, but especially the people of Ukraine are affected. The current restrictions and boycotting towards Russian products and destinations shows how the global community supports the Ukrainian people in this difficult time. The situation affects the cruise industry as well, where the global position of the Baltic Sea region as a cruise destination is challenged because St. Petersburg no longer receives calls. Despite these new challenges there are, however, still positive outcomes from 2022.
In 2022 the Baltic ports welcomed 3.450.469 cruise guests, which is an increase of almost 256 % compared to 2021. This number is still lower than 2019, the last ‘normal’ year, but has improved significantly since the pandemic. The total number of calls also increased from 648 in 2021 to 2,415 in 2022 and there were calls to at least one Baltic port every month in 2022. According to Mikkel Aarø-Hansen, this is a very positive outcome and amongst others a result of the strong collaboration within the Cruise Baltic network.
“We are working closely with our partners to introduce initiatives that will bring more cruise guests to the Baltic Sea region and secure the market position of the region. We are pleased that despite the challenges we are facing, the number of calls has increased significantly compared to 2021, which indicates a strong collaboration within the Cruise Baltic network, “ says Mikkel Aarø-Hansen, Chairman for Cruise Baltic.
Cruise Baltic have already implemented actions to help the destinations navigate in this uncertain geopolitical situation, and the network is currently creating a new strategy with a special effort towards the American market to fortify Cruise Baltic’s market position in the new circumstances.
“Building our new strategy is a process where we need to think ahead but at the same time, we need to take the current situation into account. The Cruise Baltic network represents the interests – and the strengths – of both large and small destinations across different countries, and this will naturally be reflected in our new strategy. The strategy will also highlight our sustainable actions and ways to secure the region’s market position in a new tomorrow,” says Mikkel Aarø-Hansen, Chairman for Cruise Baltic.
The predictions for 2023 are still uncertain due to the geopolitical situation, but the new strategy will be revealed in 2023.
About the Cruise Baltic Market Review:
Cruise Baltic is a network which, by the time of the market view collection, consist of 32 cruise ports in 8 different countries in the Baltic Sea. Two additional ports (Riga, and Kiel) have been included in the analysis to achieve a better view of the entire region. Lysekil joined the network in 2022 and features for the first time. The purpose of this report is to present an updated view of the developments in the cruise sector in the Baltic Sea Region, including data on guests, calls, and turnarounds. The information presented in the report is based on a collection of data among ports in the Baltic Sea Region as of December 2022. The report presents the actual developments until 2022 and the expected numbers for 2023.
Read the full market review HERE.
Cruise Baltic was founded in 2004 and is a B2B network of 31 cruise ports in the Baltic Sea Region aiming to promote the region towards cruise lines and travel agents. The network offers all cruise lines easy access, great service, high standards, and full integration between ports and cities throughout the region.
Please read more at www.cruisebaltic.com.
Photo caption: Cruise Baltic looks back at 2022 with calls in every month. Photo credit: Per Pixel Petersson.
For further information please contact Ida Katrine Skaarup, Senior Manager at Cruise Baltic, at e-mail iks@woco.dk or telephone + 45 21642572
For press related questions, pictures etc. please contact Pernille Myrthue at Cruise Baltic’s PR agency EHRENBERG SØRENSEN Kommunikation at e-mail pm@ehrenbergsoerensen.com and telephone +45 31 27 33 11.