Passenger travelling from Southampton spends an average of £94

Underlining the importance of cruise ships to the local economy this multi-million pound passenger spending spree does not include the money shipping lines pay for services, supplies, transport, and facilities needed every time a vessel is alongside the docks.

Altogether, the port of Southampton’s cruising sector secures hundreds of local jobs and pours at least £350m every year into the regional economy.

Southampton plays a major role in the European cruising industry, which spent more than £28billion in goods and services in Europe last year, up by more than two thirds since 2006, according to the European Cruise Council (ECC).

The same report reveals 21.7m passengers visited a mainland continental port in 2008, 4.7m joined a cruise in Europe while the industry supported more than 311,000 jobs.

David Dingle, the Southampton-based chairman of the ECC and chief executive of Carnival UK, said: “The total value of goods and services has increased by a staggering 69 per cent in the last three years.

“We have also seen an increase in the amount passengers spend – at turnaround ports, such as Southampton, its about £94 while at ports-of-call they spend on average more than £50.’’ As more and more ships head for Southampton, the UK and Northern Europe’s premier cruise port, jobs have been created in and around the docks as international cruise companies set up their European headquarters in the city.

“Despite the present economic challenges, the ECC anticipates further growth in Europe, not at such a frenetic pace but with the introduction this year of new ships dedicated to the European market we are confident of continued passenger growth.’’