Cruises 2023
A key part of the tourism sector? Or, hell on Earth?
[If you watched the Chelsea v. Liverpool game yesterday, you may have seen an advertisement for MSC Cruises on the perimeter electronic boards….]
Many people across Europe went on their summer holidays this month, and as result tourism is expected to boost economies and help the service sector return to pre-pandemic levels. Cruise holidays are an important aspect of tourism in Europe, both sea- and river- based.
Prior to the pandemic, exports from international tourism accounted for 28% of the world’s trade in services and 7% of overall exports of goods and services, according to the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). Tourism was the third-biggest export category, after fuels and chemicals, ahead of food and automotive products. The tourism sector was hammered by the pandemic, with export revenues incurring a loss of $2.1 trillion over a two-year period. The sector is now recovering. International tourism receipts reached $1 trillion in 2022, and grew 50% in real terms compared with 2021, driven by the rebound in global travel [Figure 1].
Figure 1
According to data compiled by the UNWTO, Europe enjoyed the best results in 2022 with $550 billion in tourism receipts, equivalent to 87% of pre-pandemic levels. The cruise industry reflected this. According to the Cruise Lines International Association, the industry is one of the fastest growing in the tourism sector and is forecast to grow further in the coming years. [Figure 2].
Figure 2.
The MSC Euribia
A new cruise ship, the MSC Euribia, reportedly helped save the French economy from stalling earlier this year. Its delivery helped French economists to state that GDP rose by 0.5%. Alternatively, others stated this was a statistical fluke tied to the timing of the massive ship’s arrival date. It is, however, an indicator that tourism is still on a recovery track.
With over 2,400 cabins, the Swiss-owned, and LNG-powered MSC Euribia advertises week-long voyages starting at £499 ($633) from the UK port of Southampton, with stops in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. On board there are five pools, 21 bars and more than 100 hours of live entertainment for children. In economic terms, it’s a 330m long vessel carrying as many as 6,300 passengers who like to spend on board and on land too.
For me, it would be hell on Earth. But, you can book your cruise holiday on the Euribia here:
MSC Euribia cruise deals | MSC Cruises
The MSC Euribia
Source: Cruisemapper.com
Agreed cruise ships are 'hell on earth' - might be interesting to develop the discussion why most Geographers would also agree - but 6,300 passengers at a time clearly disagree. Awareness of the horrific environmental impact and a micro-managed highly sanitised so-called 'adventure' come to mind......anything else?
I've 'done' two cruises - one river (Danube) to test them out (it was ok), and one sea (Alaska). The latter really as there was no viable alternative to getting there. But, I shall never forget the mix of breath-taking scenery, with the view of a queue of vessels chugging up Glacier Bay, and the constant irritating chatter and screaming of fellow US and OZ tourists as we watched blocks of ice cascade into the water.
Thanks for your interest.