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Cruise Baltic’s newly published Market Review reveals that more cruise lines will return to ports in the eastern part of the Baltic Sea region in 2024. In addition to this, several ports, including smaller and upcoming cruise destinations, expect an increase in the number of calls this year compared to last year.
Travel trends as well as geopolitical conflicts are affecting cruise itineraries in the Baltic Sea region. Cruise Baltic has just published the cruise network’s annual Market Review, describing how the Baltic cruise sector has been affected and developed over the last year.
2023 has been characterised by a divided region due to the geopolitical situation. This has caused a decrease in the number of calls in the eastern ports, while the contrary has applied to the western part of the region. However, among the emerging trends for 2024, the cruise network reports that more cruise lines have regained interest in eastern destinations with Klaipeda anticipating the number of calls to increase by 41 percent, Gdansk by 90 percent and Turku by 133 percent.
“Last year’s situation called for a new and strengthened narrative for our region. This, combined with our new strategy, enabled us to redefine and retell the story of the Baltic Sea region. The aim of our work is to support our members and push the positive development in the region in every way we can,” says Klaus Bondam, Director of Cruise Baltic.
In addition to this, Cruise Baltic also reports a general increase in the size of vessels deployed in the region, a rising interest for cruises with smaller vessels and a changed pattern in the number of calls that will be received by each port. Among the cruise ports expecting more calls and cruise guests are both popular cruise ports and smaller and upcoming cruise destinations, like Arendal where they expect an increase in calls by 77 percent, Nyborg where the number of calls is expected to double and Helsingborg where they expect to increase calls by 125 percent.
“We’re very pleased with this development and to see the growing interest in several of our destinations. Cruise guests are, like all other travellers, on the lookout for new and unique experiences, and by promoting new aspects of our region towards the cruise lines, we stay relevant among our target group,” says Klaus Bondam, Director of Cruise Baltic.
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