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Cruise tourism in St Petersburg grew five times the rate of all visits 2013

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 15 April 2014 15 April 2014

The number of visitors arrriving to the Russian city of St Petersburg by sea exceeded the total number of foreign visitors fivefold last year, fresh data shows.

In 2013a number of foreign touristsin St. Petersburg and Leningrad region reached 3 million people, which is a 2% increase from 2012. According to the Federal Migration Service in St. Petersburg and Leningrad region data in 2013 2.12 million foreign tourists have been put on record in St. Petersburg hotels, which is a 3% increase from 2012, says St Peter Line, the Russian cruise ferry company..

A number of tourists arriving to Saint Petersburg by sea cruise ships and ferries – 573 thousand people – in 2013 has increased by 11% compared to 2012 (see Table 1).

For 10 years from 2004 to 2013 a number of foreign tourists visiting St. Petersburg has doubled from 1.5 million to 3 million people a year.

In 2013, as usually, the majority of tourists came from the largest European countries: Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, as well as from the U.S.A. and Japan. In the last few years China has become one of the leaders in this list: in 2013 it was over 240 thousand Chinese tourists. An increase in tourist traffic causes developing and construction of new infrastructure objects (the new passenger port Marine Facade, the Pulkovo airport), attracts new carriers (for example, in 2013 12 airlines came to St. Petersburg).

According to Petrostat info (see Tables 2, 3), in 2013:
- The volume of tourism paid services to the population increased by 10% compared with 2012 and amounted to 7,941 million rubles;
- The volume of paid services providing by hotels and similar accommodation facilities increased by 12% and amounted to 13,776 million rubles.

Within the framework of the project “My Russia: the City of Peter”, made by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, more than 18,000 school students from 28 Russian regions visited St. Petersburg in the period from October to December 2013.

The best Saint Petersburg tour operators organized children staying in the city. Students visited the main historically significant sights of Saint Petersburg and the suburbs. The service quality was appreciated by students and their parents.

Sea cruise tourism is an important feature and advantage of St. Petersburg over many European tourism centers.

Promoting St. Petersburg as a cruise destination is making in order to attract tourists and cruise companies, for better capacity utilization of the Marine Facade passenger port and increasing revenues from cruise tourism.

To achieve this goal, the Committee established a working group with the participation of state and business structures . A decision on the representation of St. Petersburg on a single stand cruise specialized exhibitions.

With the support of the Committee of the Management Company “Marine Façade” in St. Petersburg held a meeting with representatives of the 8 ports of the Baltic Sea (Copenhagen, Tallinn , Stockholm , etc.), which discussed the proposal to reduce by 50% the cost of cruise ships in the period from October to May to enhance the attractiveness of the Baltic ports . The proposal was supported by the Marine Facade .

On the initiative and with the assistance of the Committee ferry operator St. PeterLine from April 2014 began an advertising campaign on Euronews TV-channel in Scandinavia , Holland and Germany . In addition to information about St. Petersburg, promotional film tells about the possibility of visa-free visit to the city within 72 hours .

The working group of market participants apart from the immediate sea cruises representatives the Pulkovo airport for joint marketing activities for the positioning of St. Petersburg as a starting point for exploring the Baltic Sea.

Carnival Dream becomes largest cruise ship based in New Orleans

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 15 April 2014 15 April 2014

New Orleans’ largest year-round cruise ship, the 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream, will depart on its inaugural six-day cruise from New Orleans this afternoon, further solidifying Carnival’s distinction of the port’s largest cruise operator with two ships carrying more than 400,000 passengers annually – the most of any cruise line, the company said in a statement.

The special six-day voyage, visiting Costa Maya, Mahogany Bay (Isla Roatan), and Cozumel, will depart from the newly refurbished Erato Street Cruise Terminal, which has undergone a $2.3 million upgrade to accommodate a ship as large as the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream.

Beginning April 20, Carnival Dream will launch year-round seven-day service from New Orleans offering three distinctly different itineraries – western Caribbean cruises visiting Montego Bay, Cozumel, and Grand Cayman; or Mahogany Bay (Isla Roatan), Belize and Cozumel; and a Bahamas/Florida route calling at Key West, Freeport and Nassau. Carnival Dream joins Carnival Elation which sails year-round four- and five-day cruises to Mexico.

A study by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) found that spending by Carnival and other cruise operators in Louisiana topped $399 million in 2012, generating 7,548 jobs and $294 million in personal income. CLIA also ranked New Orleans the sixth largest cruise port in the U.S.

South Pacific Cruise Alliance highlights region's year round attraction

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 15 April 2014 15 April 2014

This year, eight South Pacific countries and territories (American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Pitcairn, Samoa, Tahiti and the Kingdom of Tonga) exhibited under a same common booth at Cruise Shipping Miami with the cooperation of the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) and the support of the French Government.

The booth was clearly identified and visible amongst 126 other destinations. 40 meetings in 3 days and discussions with cruise stakeholders, gave the opportunity to plan and set new complete itineraries in connection with the main airports and airlines of the region, either in Nandi, Nouméa, Auckland or Papeete.

Although the business in increasing in the region, it is essential to remain vigilant and keep in mind that there is still a lot to do for the next 5 years. The South Pacific destinations must anticipate and be ready to invest in facilities and infrastructures since the ships are globally becoming bigger.

Facilities ashore need to be sufficient to welcome cruise passengers (toilets, sheltered areas, transportation etc) while shore excursions and services must offer diverse experiences to guests and enable to identify the region.

It is also necessary to optimise the regulations and procedures to facilitate cruise ships operations and improve ports and airports links to become more efficient. Each destination is closely working with its ports, airports, tourism authorities and players, excursion providers, airlines and operators so as to consider the development of the cruise industry.

Besides, the South Pacific Cruise Alliance took the opportunity of this worldwide event, to join the CLIA and become an executive partner of CLIA Australasia. This important step should help SPCA in the recognition of a cruise navigation area to promote South Pacific cruises with Travel agents all over the world and to join an important reputed network.

Additionally, SPTO organised a friendly venue in a hotel in Miami Beach to maintain close relationships with the stakeholders.

The South Pacific Cruise Alliance in association with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation is now considering the planning and organisation of an international Cruise Forum in Tahiti in October 2015, with international cruise shipping speakers & stakeholders invited.

Cruise Baltic and Cruise Copenhagen Network appoints new Director

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 09 April 2014 09 April 2014

Cruise Baltic and Cruise Copenhagen Network have appointed Claus Bødker as the new Director, commencing May 1, 2014.

This news has been announced this week by Cruise Baltic Chairman, Lars Bernhard Jørgensen. He said: "We have received a large number of qualified applicants for this position and are proud to have attracted Claus Bødker, with his highly competent profile and considerable relevant experience. I am very pleased to welcome Claus as new Director of Cruise Baltic, as well as Director, Cruise Copenhagen Network. The partners and I look forward to working closely with him."

Claus Bødker joins from a position as CEO of Elite Gaming A/S, a subsidiary to Danske Spil. However, he has 14 years of business experience working in the travel industry, both in Denmark and Germany, including positions with Thomas Cook, KILROY Travels and Hertz.

In addition to the relevant industry experience, Claus Bødker also brings with him a solid educational background, as MSc. in Business Administration and an MBA degree. Recently, Claus Bødker completed a Master in Experience Economy.

His entire business career has been in the B2B environment. Responsible for all commercial partners in the football club F.C. Copenhagen and for all of Danske Spil’s retailers, Claus brings with him extensive experience in negotiation at all levels.

Danish born Claus Bødker, 51 years, lives north of Copenhagen with his wife and two children. In his spare time he enjoys running and mountain biking.

Port of New Orleans nearing completion of $2.3 million upgrade of Erato Street Cruise Terminal

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 29 March 2014 29 March 2014

$2.3 million in renovations, expansions and upgrades are nearing completion at the Port of New Orleans’ Erato Street Cruise Terminal ahead of the arrival of the Port’s largest home-port cruise ship to date – the Carnival Dream.

The 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream is scheduled to begin sailing seven-day, year- round eastern and western Caribbean itineraries April 14 from the Port of New Orleans’ Erato Street Cruise Terminal, replacing the 3,006-passenger Carnival Sunshine, which will be repositioned to Port Canaveral, Fla.

The 130,000-ton Carnival Dream is from the cruise line’s newest and largest class of ships and offers an array of on-board facilities and features and represents a 22 percent increase in passenger capacity for Carnival’s seven-day cruise program from New Orleans. The 2,052-passenger Carnival Elation will continue to sail year-round four- and five-day itineraries to Progreso and Cozumel, Mexico. Carnival is the only cruise line to operate two, year-round cruise ships from the Port of New Orleans and will carry more than 400,000 guests annually from the Crescent City.

“The Port’s investment to expand and upgrade amenities in the Erato Street Cruise Terminal underscores Carnival’s confidence in the strength of the New Orleans cruise market,” said Gary LaGrange, Port President and CEO. “These upgrades will make an already first-class cruising experience even better.”

Many of the improvements were to accommodate the increased capacity of the Carnival Dream, LaGrange said.

The terminal improvements included relocating and expanding embarkation counters to maximize passenger flow; additional X-ray and screening machines to accommodate the increase in passengers and luggage; newly painted drop-off areas and ticketing areas to update the terminal’s decor; relocating, renovating and tripling the size of the terminal’s Captain’s Lounge; and the installation of state-of-the-art audio/video way-finding and information systems to facilitate passenger flow.

To be able to accommodate the design features of the Carnival Dream, Port officials moved the newer Julia Street Cruise Terminal gangway to the Erato Street Cruise Terminal. The Julia Street gangway, which was constructed in 2011, was designed to work with the Dream Class lifeboat configuration. The former Julia Street gangway also features dual telescoping extensions that connect to the ship’s weather deck, which allows the gangway to efficiently facilitate higher passenger volumes. The former Erato Street gangway was repositioned to Julia Street and is able to efficiently handle the cruise ships home-ported there seasonally from November to April.

A study by Cruise Lines International Association found cruise industry spending in Louisiana topped $399 million in 2012, generating 7,548 jobs and $294 million in personal income. CLIA also ranked New Orleans the sixth largest cruise port in the U.S.