River cruising in Amsterdam is making a significant contribution to the region’s economy, says a new report.

In 2017, river cruising in the region resulted in more than half a million passenger visits. The turnover was over 206 million Euros with an added value of more than 87 million Euros.

Amsterdam Cruise Port (ACP) commissioned economic research bureau Decisio to make an economic impact study of river cruising in the ACP (Amsterdam Cruise Port) region. It surveyed 1,196 passengers from 34 cruise vessels in Amsterdam, Hoorn and Lelystad.

It found the added value of the sector in wages, operational ports and taxes is 87.6 million Euros – this is the contribution made by river cruises to the gross national product (GNP) of the ACP region. Meanwhile passengers spent £106 million Euros. In terms of employment, the river cruise sector provides 1,690 jobs in the region – 1,000 of which are in the hospitality region.

The profile of the river cruise sector tends to feature a majority of over 65-year-old passengers with only 12 per cent being younger than 45 years. Many passengers are European (37 per cent), though 2 per cent are Dutch and 61 per cent intercontinental, with most vessels visiting in April.