Port of Ghent expects 200 inland navigation cruises this year. Consequently, 2012 also links up with the large interest for this kind of water tourism. The first ship sails into the port on Friday morning, March 23.
These past few years, more and more inland cruise vessels are calling at Ghent. For the coming season, already 200 inland cruisers are expected, the second highest number ever and 15 more than last year. In the course of the year even more can be added. This puts 2012 on the same level as the past five years. A large part of them comes from Germany. The first inland cruise vessel is expected on Friday morning, March 23 at the Rigakaai.
Visit to Ghent
The cruises bring some 20,000 passengers to Ghent. A lot of the passengers visit the city by means of a guided tour, a visit to a museum or for shopping. Consequently, inland navigation cruising is equally important to Ghent and to its tradespeople.
On the up
Since 2007 inland navigation cruises in Ghent are on the rise. An overview of the past few years: 73 in 2005, 155 in 2006, 182 in 2007, 204 in 2008, 172 in 2009, 182 in 2010, 185 in 2011 and now 200 in 2012.