Helsinki Attracts 409,000 International Cruise Visitors in 2016

(Source: Visit Helsinki)

Helsinki recorded 240 cruise ship visits in summer 2016. Germany accounted for the highest number of cruise visitors.

International cruise tourism is experiencing rapid growth around the world, and the summer cruise season was very busy in Helsinki too. This year cruise ships brought 409,000 passengers to Helsinki, which is 28,000 less than in the previous year. The slight reduction in the number of cruise visitors can be explained by a decrease in the number of cruise ship visits and cancellations due to poor weather. Helsinki anticipates a record number of cruise ship visits, 265, in summer 2017.

“Cruise visitors spend on average 6 to 10 hours in Helsinki, and most visitors join excursions that are booked in advance. Helsinki sightseeing tours are very popular, but increasingly visitors are also looking for unique experiences and are interested in finding out more about the local culture. Helsinki’s newest public saunas, Löyly and Allas Sea Pool, clearly attracted many cruise visitors this summer,” says Jenny Taipale, Project Manager for Cruise Marketing at Visit Helsinki.

Each cruise visitors spends on average 65 euros during their brief stay, rising to 87 euros for those who take part in excursions. These figures are based on the European 2014 Cruise Passenger and Crew Survey, which ws commissioned by the City of Helsinki. A similar study will be carried out again in summer 2017.

Helsinki developing as a turnaround port

This summer Helsinki served as the turnaround port for Spanish cruise operator Pullmantur. Altogether three of Pullmantur’s cruise ships changed passengers in Helsinki. Departing passengers flew back to Spain from Helsinki Airport at the same time that new passengers arrived to take their place.

“According to the cruise operator, the turnaround arrangements were very successful and will be continued again next summer. In the future we aim to attract more cruise passengers to stay overnight in Helsinki, which would generate even more income for Helsinki,” Taipale says.

Visitors from Asia are increasingly interested in cruise tourism. Approximately 340,000 Asians took cruises outside of Asia in 2015, and 74% of these cruises were in Europe. Last year the number of cruise visitors to Helsinki from China grew by 24%.

“We are talking with cruise operators all the time about utilising Helsinki as a turnaround port. Helsinki offers excellent flight connections to Asia, which is very appealing also to cruise operators,” Taipale adds.

New customer segments demand new forms of marketing

This summer Visit Helsinki produced the Helsinki Talk Show on board Princess cruise ships in cooperation with the Cruise Baltic network. Special guests from Helsinki entertained passengers by talking about their hometown from different perspectives. The special guests included Professor Marja Makarow (Millennium Technology Prize), fashion designer Marita Huurinainen and Development Director Laura Aalto (Visit Helsinki).

“The Helsinki Talk Show was a big success, and the cruise operator has asked us to continue it next summer as well,” Taipale reports.

Helsinki Helpers serve cruise visitors

Cruise visitors were greeted at all cruise terminals by the Helsinki Helpers, who distributed the Day in Helsinki illustrated map in seven languages and other useful brochures. Visit Helsinki’s mobile tourist information advisors also served visitors to Helsinki in the city centre.

The 2016 cruise season began on Monday 9 May, and the last cruise ship of the season – AIDAmar from Germany – departed Helsinki on Wednesday 12 October.