Copenhagen eyes single-day record this year, overall peak in 2017Copenhagen eyes single-day record this year, overall peak in 2017

This year around 740,000 passengers are projected, an increase of 9% from 2015, and up from 400,000 in 2005. Just under half the 2016 calls are turnarounds.

'The outlook for the cruise industry is especially promising, with a steady rise in demand and more ships, even bigger ones, coming out of the shipyards. We expect to see continued growth in the number of visitors and ships coming to Copenhagen,' said Copenhagen Malmö Port's Arnt Møller Pedersen, chief operating officer with responsibility for cruise operations.

The season, which begins April 28, has 304 calls scheduled by 67 ships from 35 lines. Seven ships carrying 24,000 passengers and 7,000 crew are expected for a single-day record in June.

Møller Pedersen described a 'massive investment' to ensure Copenhagen remains an attractive cruise destination, including the new Ocean Quay, which opened last year. 'It’s great to see that many years of hard work from all involved in the industry are now bearing fruit,' he added.

The cruise business contributes around 1.3bn Danish kroner ($192m) to Copenhagen's economy and generates around 4,000 jobs, primarily seasonal ones.

The more than 100,000 additional passengers expected in 2017 will generate incremental revenues estimated at DKK 200m to 225m ($30m to $33m).