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Cruise tourism is bubbling: 500 million euros expected for MV!
A new study examines the economic impact of cruise tourism in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, with a turnover of almost 500 million euros and positive future prospects for the industry.
Cruise tourism is bubbling: 500 million euros expected for MV!
When it comes to cruise shipping, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania pulls out all the stops. A recent study by ships-and-cruises.de took a close look at the value creation through cruise tourism and presented impressive figures. Around half a billion euros in sales are expected for 2023 in companies with a direct stake in the cruise industry. Last year alone, the shipping companies generated sales of around 149 million euros. The MV Cruise Net network, which is made up of 18 partners, is committed to the sustainable networking of the industry and carried out the study in collaboration with the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Tourism Association.
A total of 45 companies took part in the detailed online survey. The results are impressive: sales of 94,500 euros are expected, with many companies reporting increasing numbers of employees. Wolfgang Blank, Minister for Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Tourism and Labor emphasizes the importance of cruise tourism as an important pillar for the local economy.
Economic effects for the region
The benefits of cruise tourism are many. Not only shipping companies and ports benefit from this, but also service providers in areas such as catering and retail. One thing is certain: According to estimates, there are at least 2,800 full-time equivalents employed in the industry. A positive signal for the region, with 43% of the companies surveyed reporting growth plans. Despite challenges such as high energy costs and environmental regulations cited by 97% of companies, the majority are optimistic about the future.
What is also impressive is the fact that around 500,000 cruise passengers are expected in Rostock in 2023. A large number of them undertake individual shore excursions, which is of great importance for the local economy. Interestingly, there has been a sharp increase in passengers wanting to take part in trips departing from Hamburg and Kiel.
Sustainability issues in focus
Nevertheless, the question of sustainability remains a central issue. Loud planet-wissen.de Cruise ships are known for their high carbon footprint, with a single voyage from the UK to New York can produce around 9 tonnes of CO2 equivalents per passenger. In addition, the ships use less environmentally friendly heavy oils, which are not only harmful to the environment but also to people's health. Waste water, which amounts to over 300 liters per passenger every day, is also a hotly debated topic when it comes to environmental protection.
In addition, it is often pointed out that only 20-40% of cruise tourists go on shore excursions and average spending values are often far lower than those of shore vacationers. This raises the question of how much local tourism in the cities visited actually benefits from the cruise ships. Venice and Amsterdam have already issued exemptions to minimize the negative impact of large cruise ships.
One thing is clear for the future of the industry: cruise tourism not only has economic, but also social and environmental implications. It remains to be seen how the industry will adapt to meet both environmental challenges and ever-growing demand.