Costa Crociere has confirmed its leadership in Europe by setting another historic record:  100,000 Guest bookings in Germany in 2007.  Business is booming for the Italian Company as it prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2008.  The German record comes just two months after the announcement of another historic achievement, namely 1 million Guest bookings for 2007, this figure being reached back in July.

100,000 Guests in just 12 months is no mean feat for the European cruise industry; Costa Crociere has already hit six figures before in two other countries – Italy and France – but this is the first time that any international cruise line has attained this objective in Germany.  No surprise then, that Costa Crociere retains its position as the number one international cruise operator in Germany, which is continental Europe’s leading market in terms of the number of cruisers.  According to a survey conducted by the European Cruise Council (European Cruise Contribution), over 600,000 Germans went on a cruise in 2005 and the German cruise industry generated direct spending of 1.1 billion euros, while employing more than 17,000 people.  There was growth of 10% in 2006, with over 700,000 German cruise passengers, accounting for some 20% of all European cruisers.

“This new achievement is further confirmation of our leadership in Europe,” commented Costa Crociere President Gianni Onorato, “and puts the icing on the cake for us in 2007, a truly record-breaking year in which we topped the 1 million Guest mark back in July.  Germany is especially important for cruises in Europe, and it’s one of our countries of reference for the future growth of the Company.  We’re delighted that our German Guests appreciate the quality of our service, our capacity to innovate as well as the skill and reliability that come with 60 years of experience.  Bookings are coming in thick and fast for 2008 too, not only in Germany but in all our countries of operation, and this augurs well for our next objective: 1.5 million Guests in 2010.”

Costa Crociere’s 100,000 German Guests will be celebrated at a special event in Hamburg on November 10.  In attendance will be the Italian Company’s senior executives along with the best of the 6800 travel agents who work with Costa Crociere across Germany.