Challenging year for cruise liner traffic

The year was challenging for cruise liner traffic all over Europe, and the effects of the war in Ukraine were reflected in the cruise traffic in the Baltic Sea in particular. In the Port of Turku, the cruise liner calls numbered just three in 2023 despite the active marketing efforts.

After a quiet year, the direction is, however, upwards. Seven cruise liner visits have already been booked for the current year, and 2025 is looking even better. There is interest in Turku, and the unique archipelago in the Turku region again shows it attraction. The offerings of Turku and the archipelago provide an excellent alternative to the expedition vessels whose shipping companies are looking for unusual experiences for a demanding customer base.

Co-operation with the tourist marketing organisation Visit Turku Archipelago developed favourably. The updated organisation has adopted cruise business and the related excursions and other additional services as part of Turku’s tourism product. Co-operation was also strengthened with the other Finnish ports with the goal to achieve better visibility, for example, at trade fairs and events.

The events for 2024 get started in March, when representatives of six different cruise shipping companies arive for a visit to learn about the Port and its cruise supply. In the following week the meetings continue in the Baltic Cruise conference, and international cruise organisers will also be met in Miami at the cruise industry fair.

Read the full annual report 2023 (pdf).

Text: Kari Ahonen
Photo: Jouni Saaristo