The main markets are North America, with 11.5 million, and Britain, with 1.7 million. The fastest gr

The main markets are North America, with 11.5 million, and Britain, with 1.7 million. The fastest growth has occurred in Australia - up 30 per cent to more than 500,000, with growth expected to top a million by 2020..
The statistics, released at the beginning of the UK's annual National Cruise Week, were compiled from industry bodies including blackpool hotel accommodation the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the European Cruise Council, and the UK's Passenger Shipping Association (PSA).
blackpool hotel accommodation Christine Duffy, CLIA President and CEO, said: "We are delighted to see 10 per cent annual global growth in cruise passengers last year, with milestones being broken all over the world as growth continues. blackpool hotel accommodation This is the first time that European figures have passed six million and the first time Australian cruise passengers have topped half a million.
"The latest blackpool hotel accommodation statistics clearly show that the cruise industry has proved resilient during difficult economic blackpool hotel accommodation conditions and these results are a testament to the industry's ongoing innovation and investment. As we continually improve operations, an d add new and exciting innovations and itineraries, we're confident our sector has huge potential for continued growth on a global basis."
William Gibbons, Director of the PSA, said: " British ocean cruise passengers exceeded 1.7 million for the first time in 2011 and are currently the second largest source of cruise passengers in the world. We're looking forward to that growth continuing as new ships come on stream to satisfy demand."