The European source market for cruises grew by 13% to hit 6.2 million last year, thereby outpacing the figure for the while world, which increased by 10% to 20.6 million passengews, figures published at the European Cruise Council’s annual meeting in Brussels show.

The direct economic contribution of the industry grew by €0.5 billion to hit €15.0 billion last year, an all time high. However, shipbuilding and shipyard recorded a 7.9% fall in their contribution, marking a third year of a decline in row, said Michael Thamm, future CEO of Costa Crociere group, who presented the Cruise Industry 2012 report today.

The industry employs a total of 315,500 persons in Europe and it has added 100,000 jobs since 2005, while the economic contribution has doubled in the same time, Thamm said.