Scotland has attracted another record-breaking cruise season for 2017, according to the organisation promoting the country as a world-class cruise destination.
Cruise Scotland, whose members include Dundee and Montrose, said the number of cruise liners and passengers calling at Scottish ports has more than doubled in the last decade, making a major contribution to the economy.
The promise of another busy summer follows a seventh successive record-breaking season in 2016.
There were 676 visits by cruise ships, up 35% on 2015 and bringing around 484,000 passengers, an increase of 5.3%.
Ports and their hinterlands around mainland Scotland and the islands shared a market with an estimated value of almost £56 million in 2016.
There are currently 808 ships, including more large vessels, booked to call in 2017, up 19.5% on 2016, with an anticipated 35%-plus jump in the number of passengers to around 656,000.
A number of cruise lines are returning with more calls next year when the annual value to the Scottish economy is expected to reach more than £72.5 million.
Cruise Scotland Chairman, Andrew Hemphill, commented: “The expectations for next year will mean that since 2010, the organisation’s first full year, ship numbers, passengers and their spend will all have more than doubled.
“The continuing growth in the record numbers now visiting shows the increasing popularity of Scotland as a hugely exciting destination.
“The statistics demonstrate marketing is working and there is increasing appreciation among cruise operators and passengers of Scotland’s many and varied attractions which deliver fantastic visitor experiences.”
He added: “There is tremendous potential for more in a growth industry, through sustained promotion and quality product.”
In the 2010-2017 period, cruise ship arrivals will have increased 119% from 342 to 808 calls and passenger numbers will have risen by 144% from 268,481 to 656,510, for a total value of around £400 million over the period.
At the recent Scottish Cruise Summit, Rural Economy and Connectivity Minister Fergus Ewing recognised the efforts and success of Cruise Scotland in developing the cruise market in Scotland and its potential.
The organisation’s aims include promoting Scotland as a world class cruise destination and increasing market share. Members also include Glasgow (Greenock,) Holy Loch Port, Oban, Portree, Stornoway, Ullapool, Kirkwall, Lerwick, Scrabster, Invergordon, Inverness, Peterhead, Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
A significant part of the £1 billion Dundee Waterfront regeneration strategy involves promoting the port as a cruise ship destination.
Cruise and Maritime Voyages, the firm operating cruise ships from Dundee, will be offering six cruise departures from Dundee in 2017 between July 23 and September 17.
They will be on the Magellan, the cruise liner that can accommodate 1,250 passengers across 726 cabins.
Destinations include Iceland and the Northern Isles, Scandinavia and the Baltic cities and St Petersburg.
