Germany is set to become Europe?s top contributor of passengers to the cruise industry as record employment levels and generous vacation rules give consumers the cash and leisure time for sightseeing by sea.
?Growth in Germany this year will probably be at about the same level as last year,? when passenger numbers increased 11 percent, Michael Ungerer, president of the Cruise Lines International Association?s newly established branch in the country, said in a telephone interview on June 20. ?Germany will be Europe?s biggest market in the foreseeable future.?
The U.K., currently the region?s biggest cruise market, showed no growth at 1.7 million passengers last year, while 1.71 million Germans will take overnight ocean trips this year, according to Ungerer?s forecast. The global cruise market is estimated to grow 4.5 percent this year to $36.2 billion, according to industry data and analysis provider Cruise Market Watch.
Germany?s economic growth, as well as employment levels near an all-time high, contrast with recessions in southern Europe, where record joblessness in countries including Spain and Italy have almost halted the industry?s growth in the region, the Brussels-based CLIA Europe said in its 2012-2013 annual report. Germany offers a minimum 20 days vacation plus 10 paid holidays, according to the U.S. Center for Economic Policy and Research.
Cruise operators are keeping ships full by using discounts targeting holiday makers who tend to book later and wait for rebates, Ungerer said.
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Source Bloomberg Businessweek