The number of international cruise ships arriving and leaving Helsinki was again at a record level over the recent summer season.
The best days saw five cruisers at the same time docked at the quays in Helsinki’s harbours. The number of passengers also reached the record-breaking level of last year.
In all, the number of foreign cruise vessels visiting the Finnish capital between May and the end of September was 263, carrying to Finland a total of 360,000 cruise passengers.
When it comes to the nationality of the cruise passengers, the largest group comprised American tourists, who constituted roughly 22 per cent of all travellers.
However, the proportion of European cruise passengers has increased year by year. During this season, the share of English travellers was 19 per cent and that of German visitors 17 per cent.
The current recession did not appear to have any major impact on the popularity of cruises.
”The number of bookings for 2010 is already more than 200. It would seem that we will reach at least this year’s level even in the coming season”, estimates cruise coordinator Tuija Aavikko from the Helsinki City Tourist & Convention Bureau.
