Craighead highlighted how recent data from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) showed cruise had recovered faster than other travel sectors from the effects of the pandemic.
Speaking to TTG during a Clia media event in London on Monday (11 September), Craighead said: “We’re on track for this year [to be record-breaking] after a successful summer season globally. Cruise has recovered faster than international tourism.”
Craighead also revealed 15% more UK and Ireland passengers took a cruise during the first half of this year, compared with 2019. This means almost one million UK and Ireland passengers cruised during that period.
On the UK and Ireland market, Craighead said: “We’ve known for some time what a good source market the UK and Ireland market is and how good a destination it is for cruise passengers, as well as the strength of the government’s tourism plan.”
Craighead is in London for the third Cruise Industry and Government Forum meeting this week.
Asked about the meeting’s agenda, Craighead explained: “The meeting is recognition of where cruise sits in the government’s eyes and it’s an annual check-in about what we’re seeing from cruise lines.”
She added cruise lines wanted to stress the importance of sustainability and how the sector was pursuing net-zero carbon cruising by 2050.
