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 were up by 24 per cent, against 2016. 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 grew by 21 per cent, to 210,400 passengers, in 2017, a much higher rate of growth than seen in 2016. 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, 2012-2017 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 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 2014-2017 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. 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 2016. 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, 2012-2017 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 2016. 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 38.9 46.7 20.1% Rhine and Danube 4.6 5.1 7.0 7.6 10.6 15.8 49.5% Sub total 46.5 57.8 68.7 80.0 92.0 112.4 22.2% French (Rhone/Seine) 10.2 14.1 14.2 18.5 21.6 24.9 15.5% Portugal (Douro) 9.3 10.7 11.0 11.7 11.2 20.7 85.3% Netherlands 11.0 11.1 9.7 8.1 9.7 10.0 3.3% Russian 5.2 6.4 7.4 5.2 6.4 10.8 69.9% Italian (Po) 3.0 3.1 2.9 2.1 2.1 1.9-12.7% Elbe 2.4 3.6 2.8 3.4 3.5 3.0-14.3% Other European 2.4 3.1 3.7 2.4 5.1 5.1 0.8% Total European 90.0 109.9 120.4 131.4 151.4 188.7 24.6% NON-EUROPEAN Nile 28.3 12.2 8.9 7.0 4.1 4.7 14.2% China 6.9 4.3 3.8 2.1 1.9 1.0-50.4% India 1.3 0.9 1.2 1.2 1.1 1.4 27.5% Mekong < 1.0 1.5 2.7 4.6 5.0 8.2% Burma < 1.3 1.4 1.4 5.0 4.6-8.8% Other non-european 3.3 2.0 2.3 4.6 6.2 5.0-17.9% Total non-european 39.8 21.7 19.0 19.1 22.9 21.7-5.4% TOTAL 129.7 131.6 139.4 150.3 174.4 210.4 20.7% 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 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.
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