Cruise Norway port members are projecting a growth of 15% in the number of cruise visitors this year, compared to 2010. The number of calls will increase by 2.8% in 2011 with 1,694 calls compared to 1,647 last year.In 2010, Norway recorded a 6% increase in the number of visitors. 

A survey undertaken by the Norwegian Ministry of Trade in 2010, assessed the effect of cruise tourism in the country and calculated direct spending of over NKr2bn(€257m). This corresponds to almost 13% of foreigner's annual travel and tourism spend in Norway.

The results from this survey demonstrates that cruise tourism benefits the local and national economy and it is painting an interesting and positive picture for the way forward, remarks Wenche Nygård Eeg, managing directorCruise Norway.

The report found there was no distinct difference in spending levels between different ports: at destinations with big main attractions, the money is spent on these whereas at destinations without big attractions, the money is spent on souvenirs and food and beverage.

Looking at individual consumption per nationality, US passengers topped the table spending NKr1,177 per person per day on land, followed by Canadian at NKr861 per day and Spanish NKr702. The report highlighted that the Spanish wanted to go ashore in all ports while Germans only go ashore in 50% of the ports called partly explaining the shoreside spending trends.

According to the survey the main motives for choosing a cruise in Norway were the 'fjords' combined with 'nature'. Also important were 'cultural and historic attractions' and the 'Norwegian people.

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