The cruise liner industry was contributing about e100 million to the economy, Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech told the Seatrade Winter Cruising Forum yesterday.

In Malta the industry was expanding at remarkable speed – from 144,064 cruise passengers in 1998 to 483,257 by the end of November last year – which was an increase of over 235 per cent.

“Cruise passengers’ estimates for 2007 have not only been met but surpassed. Viset Malta was estimating 432,000 passengers for last year,” he said. But the 483,257 visitors up to November was an increase of 20 per cent over the corresponding period last year, which already was a record year.

The forum drew to Malta representatives of the major cruise lines for a one and a half day conference, discussing Winter Cruising: Its current scope and future potential.

Cruise passengers were also a source of promotion to the tourism sector as over 80 per cent of all cruise passengers interviewed said that they were interested in returning to Malta in the future, Dr Zammit Dimech said.

He pointed out that following the rehabilitation and restoration of the Pinto and Forni Stores, the old power station and the re-aligning of the road that now crosses between the stores and the bastions, Malta could now boast of a cruise liner terminal complex that was unique. Viset had transformed a historic site into a vibrant cruise passenger terminal that offers amenities for the cruise passenger and a catering and shopping complex that is popular with the Maltese and foreigner alike.

Such is the success in the sector that the government was proposing the construction of other cruise lining berths in Grand Harbour.

Cruise operations are on the increase worldwide. At the end of 2005 there were 36 cruise lines domiciled in Europe operating a fleet of 100 cruise ships with a capacity of almost 86,000 berths. Cruise passengers in Europe represent 23 per cent of cruise passengers worldwide, and a high percentage of these cruise liners visit ports in the Mediterranean.

Dr Zammit Dimech said Malta is blessed by a mild winter climate, and he was sure that cruise liner companies can market Malta as a year-round destination for cruise passengers.