cruiseexperts.org CRUISE LINES INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION RIVER CRUISE REVIEW Published September 2018

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1 cruiseexperts.org CRUISE LINES INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION RIVER CRUISE REVIEW 2017 Published September 2018

INTRODUCTION We are delighted to report that the UK river cruise sector saw another year of record growth in 2017; passenger numbers rose by 21 per cent, and total bed nights

In 2017, the UK river cruise market reached 210,400 passengers, against 174,400 in 2016, demonstrating that the market continues to outperform many travel sectors with its

European river cruises, which account for almost 90 per cent of bookings, were the driving force behind this exceptional growth, specifically cruises on the Douro, Russian

Cruises in central and western Europe, accounted for almost two-thirds (62 per cent) of all river cruise bookings, with the Rhine and Danube leading the way.

2 INTRODUCTION We are delighted to report that the UK river cruise sector saw another year of record growth in 2017; passenger numbers rose by 21 per cent, and total bed nights were up by 24 per cent, against In 2017, the UK river cruise market reached 210,400 passengers, against 174,400 in 2016, demonstrating that the market continues to outperform many travel sectors with its growth. European river cruises, which account for almost 90 per cent of bookings, were the driving force behind this exceptional growth, specifically cruises on the Douro, Russian waterways, Rhine and Danube. Cruises in central and western Europe, accounted for almost two-thirds (62 per cent) of all river cruise bookings, with the Rhine and Danube leading the way. However, it was eastern and southern Europen which saw the most growth last year, predominantly on Russian waterways and on the Douro. Looking outside Europe, three rivers accounted for the bulk of passengers in 2017 last year; the Mekong, Nile and Irrawaddy. Other non-european rivers experiencing rising passenger numbers in 2017 were the Ganges and Brahmaputra. With continued investment and innovation in this sector, and with new events and initiatives to engage the travel agent community, the growth in river cruising continues to be an important part of the overall cruise industry, Andy Harmer CLIA UK & Ireland director Senior vice-president membership

TOTAL MARKET TRENDS Passenger numbers grow by more than 20 per cent The UK market for river cruises

UK river cruise market: the number of passengers, 2012-2017 As data was collected from a larger number

3 TOTAL MARKET TRENDS Passenger numbers grow by more than 20 per cent The UK market for river cruises grew by 21 per cent, to 210,400 passengers, in 2017, a much higher rate of growth than seen in This can be attributed to new ships being launched into the market, which increased the profile of the sector in general, and attracted more river cruise guests to set sail. UK river cruise market: the number of passengers, As data was collected from a larger number of cruise lines in 2017 compared with previous years our figures collected for 2016 are larger than those reported in the previous survey.

In 2017, the total number of nights spent onboard river cruise ships by UK holidaymakers rose

Plus, the average length of a river cruise rose slightly from 7.6 to 7.

UK river cruise market: total number of nights spent onboard river cruise ships 2014-2017 As

4 In 2017, the total number of nights spent onboard river cruise ships by UK holidaymakers rose by 24 per cent, reaching 1.63 million, from 1.31 million. Plus, the average length of a river cruise rose slightly from 7.6 to 7.7 nights, indicating that longer duration cruises have become more popular. UK river cruise market: total number of nights spent onboard river cruise ships As data was collected from a larger number of cruise lines in 2017 compared with previous years our figures collected for 2016 are larger than those reported in the previous survey.

BROAD RIVER AND NATIONAL TRENDS 2012-2017 This section presents the data from this year s survey using the same segmentation as used in previous reports.

5 BROAD RIVER AND NATIONAL TRENDS This section presents the data from this year s survey using the same segmentation as used in previous reports. The following section presents 2016 and 2017 data with more regional analysis than in previous years. European rivers gain share In 2017, the number of British river cruise guests grew faster on European rivers compared with non-european rivers, meaning that European rivers took an increased share of the market in 2017, compared with This reverses the picture of 2016, when non- European rivers took a slightly increased share of the market. The breakdown of river cruise passengers by broad region, However, two specific destinations in Europe were the main drivers of this growth; Portugal and Russia. Cruises on the Duoro in Portugal, were up 85 per cent, and the Russian waterways, saw a 70 per cent increase in river cruise guest numbers. The Rhine and Danube also saw an increase against Outside of Europe, the Nile saw the greatest rise in numbers, up just over 14 per cent on 2016, and Indian rivers also experienced a rise in popularity, with British guests up by more than 27 per cent against last year.

River cruise guests by region and destination, 2012-2017 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 % growth 2016-17 EUROPEAN Rhine/Moselle/tributaries 26.9 35.5 37.3 38.8 42.5 49.9 17.3% Danube 15.0 17.3 24.4 33.

6 River cruise guests by region and destination, % growth EUROPEAN Rhine/Moselle/tributaries % Danube % Rhine and Danube % Sub total % French (Rhone/Seine) % Portugal (Douro) % Netherlands % Russian % Italian (Po) % Elbe % Other European % Total European % NON-EUROPEAN Nile % China % India % Mekong < % Burma < % Other non-european % Total non-european % TOTAL % Central and western European destinations generate over six-in-ten passengers In 2017, 62 per cent of British river cruise passengers sailed on central and western European rivers. However, the fastest-growing regions were eastern and southern Europe. This reflects rapid growth in cruises on the Danube and Russian Waterways in the east of the continent and on the Duroro, Rhône and Saône rivers in the south.

The most popular European destinations by region and river (passengers 000), 2017 * Including combinations with the Main and other rivers ** Including combinations with other rivers CE = Central

7 The most popular European destinations by region and river (passengers 000), 2017 * Including combinations with the Main and other rivers ** Including combinations with other rivers CE = Central Europe, EE= Eastern Europe, SE= Southern Europe, WE = Western Europe Outside of Europe, cruises on three rivers accounted for the bulk of passengers in 2017: the Mekong, Nile and Irrawaddy. Collectively, they accounted for two-thirds of passengers going to non-european destinations. Other non-european rivers which saw rising passenger numbers in 2017 were the Ganges and Brahmaputra.

org @CLIAUK CLIAEurope @CLIAEuro Contact Us Web & Email : ukinfo@cruising.

8 THE HIGHEST RATED RIVER CRUISE SHIPS CLIA UK & IRELAND IS DELIGHTED TO BE SUPPORTED BY OVER 50 OF THE WORLD S LEADING CRUISE LINES cruiseexperts.org Contact Us Web & ukinfo@cruising.org cruiseexperts.org Phone : +44 (0) Address : Suite Fenchurch Street London EC3M 3JY

cruiseexperts.org CRUISE LINES INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION CRUISE REVIEW Published June 2018

cruiseexperts.org CRUISE LINES INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION CRUISE REVIEW 2017 Published June 2018 CONTENTS PAGE - 04 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2018 PAGE - 05 CRUISE MARKET CLOSES IN ON TWO MILLION MARK PAGE - 06