Global cruise industry generates $ 15b annually

The cruise vessel Discovery berthed at the SLPA Passenger Terminal.

The global cruise industry which generates an estimated US $ 15 billion a year in passenger expenditure is the fastest growing sector of the travel industry Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Managing Director, Capt. Nihal Keppetipola, said.

He was speaking at the plaque exchange ceremony on board the cruise vessel “Discovery” of Voyages of Discovery, to mark its inaugural call at the Passenger Jetty at the SLPA recently. The agency services for Voyages of Discovery will be provided by Messrs Ceyline Shipping Ltd. It has grown by 10 percent a year over the past 30 years. More than 13 million passengers worldwide went on cruises in 2005.

Therefore, it is important that our ports and coastal destinations are carefully managed and smartly promoted for sustainable growth of this important market. For Sri Lanka to fully capitalize on this growing tourism sector, it is extremely necessary to examine the current trends and future direction of the worldwide cruise industry”, he said.