Southampton's role as northern Europe's major centre for the international cruise industry is playing a key role in boosting Britain's tourist economy.

More than one million passengers pass over the city's dockside every year as they embark and disembark some of the most famous cruise ships in the world.

Latest figures indicate that nationally the value of cruising was further enhanced by the ten per cent growth in passenger embarkations and the 20 per cent year on year increase in day calls during last year.

Britain's tourism economy continues to benefit as cruise passengers spend more either at the beginning of their cruise from the UK or during day trips to British ports.

The value of cruising was further enhanced by the 10 per cent growth in passenger embarkations to 1.04m and the 20 per cent year-on-year increase in day calls which reached 866,000 in 2013.

Last year saw each passenger visit at a British port, combining the embarkation and day call numbers and excluding air fares, generate an average spend of almost £60 per visit, an increase of ten per cent over 2012.

“Cruise tourism is a valuable source of income to ports and destinations across Britain and is increasingly being factored into local and regional tourism,' says Daren Taylor, chairman of CruiseBritain, a joint initiative between shipping lines and the tourist industry.

“When cruise line direct expenditure on food and beverage, fuel and other non-durable goods, jobs, business services and travel agent commissions, plus indirect benefits from suppliers and employee compensation, are added into the equation, it is clear that cruise business is big business for the UK economy.”