* the number of calls increased slightly by 3.8% in 2009

* the number of turnarounds increased by 5.8% in 2009
 

From 2000-2009:
 

* the number of passengers has increased by an average annual rate of 12.9% - from 1.1 million in 2000, to 3.1 million in 2009. The number of passengers to the region in 2010 is expected to be approximately the same as in 2009.
 

* the number of calls increased by an average annual rate of 4.6% - from 1,443 in 2000, to 2,162 in 2009. In 2010 an 8% decrease is expected.
 

* the number of turnarounds increased by an average annual rate of 9.5% - from 106 in 2000 to 239 in 2009. For 2010 a decrease is expected from 239 in 2009, to 206.
 

The top 5 ports (passenger visits) continue to be: Copenhagen, Stockholm, St. Petersburg, Tallinn and Helsinki. 
 

There is a continued growth in the medium segment those between 75-200 calls at the ports of Gdynia, Oslo, Riga and Rostock. 2009 saw a growth of 8% to 634,000, with Riga experiencing particularly strong growth.
 

Overall the passenger growth in the small segment (0 -75 calls) was 7% in 2009, though there is a great variation within the ports for example, Gorg, the passenger numbers in 2009 tripled, while 8 ports experienced a decrease in passengers.
 

Bo Larsen, Director of Cruise Baltic says: The results from this latest survey, compiled for us by consultants Incentive Partners, continue to paint a positive picture, motivating all the partners in Cruise Baltic to continue to strive to improve the attractions of cruising in this wonderful and diverse region of the world. Equally important as these new figures, is our commitment to focusing on the quality of our offering, the satisfaction levels of our partners is paramount, as is achieving our goals.
 

See the Cruise Baltic market review 2010 on www.cruisebaltic.com
 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

** Success to date has been reflected at Seatrade in Hamburg last year when Cruise Baltic won the Seatrade Insider Cruise Award Destination of the Year 2009. This is the first time an Award has been received for the second time by the same destination Cruise Baltic was also voted Destination of the Year in 2007.
 

** In Autumn 2009, Cruise Baltic announced Karlshamn in Sweden as the latest destination to join the network. This is the 27th destination to join a number which has more than doubled since the formation of Cruise Baltic in 2004.
 

The port in southern Sweden, Karlshamn is environmentally friendly and offers the full service of a deep-sea port. A merchant city (formerly Danish), with 32,000 inhabitants, the many tourist attractions for visitors to Karlshamn include: world-famous salmon fishing; the grand Eriksberg safari park; the Elk Farm; and wonderful examples of both old and modern architecture and design.
 

Cruise Baltic is a network of cruise destinations in the Baltic Sea offering easy access to 10 countries on a string with an ocean of adventures. The association - started in 2004 with 12 destinations - now headed by Director Bo Larsen, has now grown to 27 destinations and 47 partners.

 

Source: Cruise Baltic