By
Alice Chambers |
The number of cruise guests visiting destinations in the Baltic Sea has risen by 257 per cent since 2021, according to Cruise Baltic’s newly published annual market review.
In total, 32 cruise ports in the Baltic Sea region handled 2,415 calls and almost 3.5 million 3,449,743 guests in 2022, with ships visiting at least one Baltic port every month. This is an increase from the 648 calls received in 2021.
“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,” said Mikkel Aarø-Hansen, chairman for Cruise Baltic. “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.”
Although the 2023 outlook is uncertain due to the current geopolitical situation and the industry boycotting Russian ports and destinations, Cruise Baltic is developing a new strategy to encourage the American market to visit other Baltic Seas destinations.
“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,” said Aarø-Hansen. “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.”
Read Cruise Baltic’s full 2023 market review.