Cruise industry leaves ‘substantial impact’ on Malta’s economy – Valletta Cruise Port CEO 

In 2023, Malta saw 900,000 passenger movements through cruiseliners, an increase of 65 per cent when compared to the previous years.

Additionally, the cruise industry in Malta contributed €85 million to Malta’s economy, €32 million of which was spent by the passengers aboard the cruiseliners and €53 million spent by the cruiseliners themselves.

These details were announced during a press conference by the Minister for Tourism and Public Cleanliness Clayton Bartolo and the CEO of the Valletta Cruise Port and the COO of Global Ports Holding Stephen Xuereb.

Mr Xuereb explained that Malta’s central position in the Mediterranean means it is able to welcome several cruise ships. Some of which, he explained, their itineraries include traveling around the Mediterranean while others reach other regions. “This strengthens Malta’s reputation of having one of the leading ports for cruiseliners.”

“This industry has substantial economic impacts on the Maltese islands; services for cruiseliners, services for passengers as well as flights to and from Malta, which subsequently have an impact on airlines and the airport. Additionally, we know that people opt for the cruise and stay when a passenger has the option of spending a couple of days on the islands before or after their cruise,” explained Mr Xuereb.

In agreement, Minister Bartolo added that the cruiseliner industry can be a catalyst for air travel because any passenger’s first experience in Malta can lead to a longer stay in the future.

“Tourism is a competitive industry that continuously needs to change and therefore it’s important to upkeep the work so that the industry remains sustainable for the future to come, he said.