<p>The European cruise industry continues to increase its share of the global  cruise market with 21.7 million passengers visiting a European port, 4.7 million  joining their cruise in Europe and the industry generating &euro;32.2 billion of  goods and services in 2008, according to&nbsp; figures released today by the European  Cruise Council (ECC).<br /><br />David Dingle, chairman of the ECC and chief  executive officer of Carnival UK said in a prepared statement that: &ldquo;These  latest figures show the cruise industry continues to play a major role in the  economy of Europe. The total value of goods and services generated has increased  by a staggering 69% in the last three years to more than &euro;32 billion. We have  also seen an increase in the amount passengers spend - at turnaround ports it&rsquo;s  &euro;106 while at ports of call passengers spend on average &euro;57 per visit. In 2008,  total passenger onshore spend was &euro;2.7 billion, a 69% increase over  2005.&rdquo;<br /><br />Dingle continued: &ldquo;Europe has acted as a magnet, drawing cruise  ships from North America, which together with European fleets has led to a  significant increase in the number of passengers joining their cruise from a  European port &ndash; a 68% increase since 2005 to 4.7 million passengers. The  European cruise industry contributed &euro;14.2 billion in direct expenditure with  cruise lines spending &euro;5.1 billion on services, supplies and equipment. 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.&rdquo;<br /><br />The ECC commissioned the 2008 economic impact report together  with Euroyards, MedCruise and Cruise Europe.&nbsp; Key results  include:<br /><br />&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 21.7 million passengers visited a European  port<br /><br />&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4.7 million passengers joined their cruise at a European  port<br /><br />&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The number of cruise ships operating in Europe in 2008  rose by 35% over 2005, to 192<br /><br />&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Europe is the world leader in  building cruise ships and during 2008, the industry spent &euro;5.2 billion on&nbsp;&nbsp;  construction, repair and maintenance of cruise ships&nbsp; <br /><br />&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The  European cruise industry generated 311,512 jobs in 2008, a 66% increase over  2005<br /><br />&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The typical European cruise makes calls at four or more  ports on any given itinerary<br /><br />&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Italy and Greece competed in  popularity of destination, with the roles reversed in 2008. Italy took 23% total  share and Greece 19.6%; Spain retained its third position with 16.6%&nbsp;  <br /><br />&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Led by Naples, Civitavecchia and Livorno, Italian ports hosted  nearly 5 million cruise passenger visits <br /><br />&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Greece was the second  leading destination with nearly 4.3 million cruise passengers.&nbsp; Santorini,  Mykonos and Rhodes were the most popular islands.</p>