Italy, cruises up 6% in 2015

Naples - Cruise ship traffic in Italian ports is up by 6.37%, while the number of ship calls remain essentially stable (+0.31%). The forecast, for 2015, is detailed in the Italian Cruise Watch, the research study on the Italian cruise industry, edited by Risposte Turismo (RT). This edition of the report was presented by RT’s president, Francesco Cesare, at the opening of the Italian Cruise Day 2014, the flagship event of the Italian cruise industry which, this year, was planned and organized by RT in collaboration with the Naples Chamber of Commerce supported by and within the confines of Terminal Napoli. To be more precise, while by this year’s end a slowdown of 8.9%, compared to 2013, is predicted, the initial forecast for 2015 points to an increase in cruise ship traffic in Italian ports Should the forecast be accurate, 2015 should see about 10.9 million passengers disembarking whilst in transit at Italian ports, and about 4,700 ship calls, compared to the 4,676 expected by the end of 2014. The figures are the result of projections done by RT on 31 Italian cruise ship ports, which, for 2014, will have handled 98% of total passengers and 87% of ship calls.

The Italian Cruise Watch report has also analysed, as in previous editions, other aspects of the cruise industry. Looking at the infrastructure, the number of Italian cruise ship terminals has continued its upward trend, from 41 in 2013, to 46 in 2014, and a predicted increase of two more units for 2015. The report shows as well, for 2015, a 5% hike in the number of ports capable of hosting ships of over 350 metres in length. This fact increases the chances of the latest-generation-cruise ships to stopover and find berth. Taking into account the ideas of over 30 Italian cruise port’s operators, a consensus emerges that the industry requires more coordination and partnerships amongst operators, and open agreements between terminals. However, many expressed the belief that current traffic level could remain stable for years to come. On the topic of cruise itineraries and port selection, Italian Cruise Watch 2014 shows Venice and Civitavecchia being selected as destinations in about 80% of cases, occupying the first and second position, respectively in the list, by number of cruise lines that stopped over in the main Italian cruise ports. The cruise line company that this year stopped at the biggest number of ports was Costa Cruises with 17, followed by Variety Cruises on 16, and Holland America Line, Phoenix Reisen, Sea Cloud Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line and Silversea Cruises, each with 15.

The Italian Cruise Watch 2014 report sounds an optimistic note, once more, looking at expected earnings for 2014 and estimates for 2015, as reported by travel agents operating in Italy, in the cruise segment alone. As a matter of fact, over 80% of interviewees expect increased or stable business by this year’s end, climbing 12 points, to around 93% for estimates for 2015. It’s telling that, compared to this year, in 2015 there’s a drop in the number of those who predict negative growth (7.3% compared to 19.5%) and a rise in travel agents reporting they expect cruise business turnover to remain stable (56.1% compared to 40.2%). Furthermore, like the previous ones, this year’s Italian Cruise Watch examined what criteria-according to travel agents-customers mentioned using to select their cruise product, for the current year. Comparing with 2013, the three top criteria remain unchanged: “positive past cruise experiences” in the first place (55.7%), then “discounts, promotions and overall cruise cost” (50.9%), and “new destinations offered” (32.1%).

Regarding variations of cruise products marketed by travel agents in Italy, the RT report shows, for the period 2013-2015, an increase in fly & cruise packages, which went from 17.4% in 2013 to 18.7% expected for 2014 and 20.7% estimated for 2015. To complete the report, Italian Cruise Watch 2014 takes a in-depth monographic look at the luxury cruise segment, which, according to sources cited in the study, presently operates 25 ships with about 10,000 beds, representing 2.2% of total cruise offerings. Italian CruiseDay 2014 had its opening this morning at the Naples Maritime Station, with a presentation by Maurizio Maddaloni- Head of the Naples Chamber of Commerce and greetings by Francesco Karrer-special commissionaire of Naples’ Port Authority and Marco Digioia -manager of governmental affairs for Clia Europe. Following the presentation of Italian Cruise Watch 2014, hosted by Mr. di Cesare, the day’s event moved on to the forums programmed (two in general session and two side sessions), in which 33 speakers took part, representing different stakeholders within the Italian cruisehip industry . The lead sponsor of Italian Cruise Day 2014 is Wärtsilä Italia, other main sponsors are Generali and Siat Insurance.