December 2007

Total cruise passenger traffic in December amounted to 4,913, a decrease of 366 passengers or 6.9 per cent over the same month in 2006. There were no embarkations from and landings in Malta during the month.

January-December 2007

In 2007, total cruise passenger traffic amounted to 488,170, an increase of 19.6 per cent over 2006. Same-day visitors from EU countries accounted for 84.0 per cent of total traffic, the main markets being Italy, Spain, and Germany. The American market remained substantial, accounting for virtually half of all non-EU cruise passengers.

Overall, the growth recorded in 2007 was characterised by increases in the Spanish and Italian markets. Cruise passengers residing in Malta decreased by 4,007 compared to 2006, implying a fall of 26.5 per cent.

On a gender basis, male passengers exceeded female ones by 1.8 per cent. All age groups registered increases, with the largest passenger rise being recorded in the 40-59 age group, who also made up 34.3 per cent of all cruise passengers.

In December, cruise liner calls decreased by three when compared to the same month in 2006. On an annual basis however, these increased by 13, bringing the total of cruise liner calls in 2007 to 369.