Industry Statistics and Trends
Inland Passenger Water Transport in Europe key trends
Sustainable and luxury travel experiences are driving consumer demand.
The shift towards low-emission, inland water transport and unique, localised experiences is most notable in Europe where it's boosting revenue from premium-priced services.
Climate change disruptions impact river cruising operations.
Erratic weather patterns due to global warming are causing navigability issues in key European rivers, disrupting services, damaging vessels and negatively affecting revenue and customer satisfaction.
Eco-friendly vessels are the future of maritime transport.
The growing environmental consciousness is forcing transportation companies to invest more in green energy solutions that reduce carbon emissions, such as hybrid or electric-powered boats.
Technological advancements will enhance the water transport industry.
Using smart technology for increased operational efficiency and implementation of digital platforms for an improved customer experience will significantly enhance the passenger water transport business.
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Inland Passenger Water Transport in Europe
Industry Revenue
Total value and annual change from 2011-2029. Includes 5-year outlook.
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Inland Passenger Water Transport in Europe market size (2019-2024)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 11.0 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €2.5bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Passenger water transport is fairly popular in Europe
- Inland passenger water transport is well-established in Europe, with countries like Switzerland, the UK, Germany, Italy, Sweden, France and the Netherlands leading the way. This is thanks to the large number and length of navigable rivers, lakes and other waterways, alongside developed infrastructures, including ports and harbours.
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Inland Passenger Water Transport in Europe outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Flourishing tourism and demand for unique experiences drive spending on water transport
- Inland water transport stands to benefit from Europe’s tourism sector continuing its recovery. Tourists increasingly seek unique immersive experiences, with water transport’s popularity swelling.
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Revenue
€2.5bn
Employees
22,093
Wages
€XXX.Xm
European Leaders & Laggards
Top 5 Countries
- Denmark +3.2%
- United Kingdom +2.8%
- Switzerland +1.8%
- Czechia 0.0%
- Bulgaria 0.0%
* CAGR values are for the years 2019-2024.
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Biggest companies in the Inland Passenger Water Transport in Europe
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue (€m)
2024 | Profit (€m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Viking River Cruises UK Ltd | 2,135.7 | 102.5 | 4.8 | |
Phoenix Reisen GmbH | 353.3 | 4.1 | 1.1 | |
CroisiEurope SAS | 215.0 | 10.5 | 4.9 |
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Inland Passenger Water Transport in Europe
Products & Services Segmentation
Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report
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What is the market size of the Inland Passenger Water Transport industry in Europe in 2024?
The market size of the Inland Passenger Water Transport industry in Europe is €2.5bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Inland Passenger Water Transport in Europe industry in 2024?
There are 4,706 businesses in the Inland Passenger Water Transport industry in Europe, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.4 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Inland Passenger Water Transport industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Inland Passenger Water Transport industry in Europe has been declining at a CAGR of 11.0 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Inland Passenger Water Transport industry in Europe over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Inland Passenger Water Transport industry in Europe is expected to grow.
What does the Inland Passenger Water Transport in Europe include?
Local water transport and Boat hire with a crew are part of the Inland Passenger Water Transport industry.
Which countries have the most businesses in the Inland Passenger Water Transport industry in Europe?
The European country with the most businesses in the Inland Passenger Water Transport industry is Italy.
How competitive is the Inland Passenger Water Transport industry in Europe?
The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Inland Passenger Water Transport industry in Europe.
Related Industries
This industry is covered in 37 countries
- Inland Passenger Water Transport in Austria
- Inland Passenger Water Transport in Romania
- Inland Passenger Water Transport in Slovakia
- Inland Passenger Water Transport in Belgium
- Inland Passenger Water Transport in Italy
- Inland Passenger Water Transport in Finland
- Inland Passenger Water Transport in Portugal
- Inland Passenger Water Transport in the Netherlands
- Inland Passenger Water Transport in Lithuania
- Inland Passenger Water Transport in Sweden
- Inland Passenger Water Transport in Ireland
- Inland Passenger Water Transport in Bulgaria
- Inland Passenger Water Transport in Spain
- Inland Passenger Water Transport in France
- Inland Passenger Water Transport in Norway
- Inland Passenger Water Transport in Switzerland
- Inland Passenger Water Transport in Denmark
- Inland Passenger Water Transport in Poland
- Inland Passenger Water Transport in Europe
- Inland Passenger Water Transport in Greece
- Inland Passenger Water Transport in Russia
- Inland Passenger Water Transport in Czechia
- Inland Passenger Water Transport in Hungary
- Inland Passenger Water Transport in Slovenia
- Inland Passenger Water Transport in Iceland
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Industry operators transport passengers on inland waters via rivers, canals, lakes, harbours and ports. Rented pleasure boats and yachts with crews are included in the industry.
Related Terms
Passenger VesselFerryPleasure BoatsNavigable WaterwaysWhat's included in this industry?
Local water transportBoat hire with a crewLong-distance travelCompanies
Viking River Cruises UK LtdPhoenix Reisen GmbHCroisiEurope SASIndustry Code
5021 - Inland passenger water transport in Europe
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Performance
Key Takeaways
Passenger water transport is fairly popular in Europe
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Revenue Highlights
Trends
- Revenue
- 2024 Revenue Growth
- Revenue Volatility
Employment Highlights
Trends
- Employees
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Employee
Business Highlights
Trends
- Businesses
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Business
Profit Highlights
Trends
- Total Profit
- Profit Margin
- Profit per Business
Current Performance
Charts
- Revenue in the Inland Passenger Water Transport in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
- Employees in the Inland Passenger Water Transport in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
- Business in the Inland Passenger Water Transport in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
- Profit in the Inland Passenger Water Transport in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
Analysis
What's driving current industry performance in the Inland Passenger Water Transport in Europe industry?
Outlook
Analysis
What's driving the Inland Passenger Water Transport in Europe industry outlook?
Volatility
Analysis
What influences volatility in the Inland Passenger Water Transport in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix
Life Cycle
Analysis
What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Inland Passenger Water Transport in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Life Cycle Matrix
Products and Markets
Highlights
Trends
- Largest Market
- Product Innovation
Key Takeaways
Travellers over 55 are taking more relaxed and scenic river cruises. This is due to more disposable income, flexible schedules, and a receding need for fast-paced adventures, while they also contribute towards lessening seasonal disparities due to their off-season travels.
Products and Services
Charts
- Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis
How are the Inland Passenger Water Transport in Europe industry's products and services performing?
Analysis
What are innovations in the Inland Passenger Water Transport in Europe industry's products and services?
Major Markets
Charts
- Major Market Segmentation
Analysis
What influences demand in the Inland Passenger Water Transport in Europe industry?
International Trade
Highlights
- Largest Importer
- Smallest Importer
- Total Imports into Europe
- Largest Exporter
- Smallest Importer
- Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
- Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
- Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables
Value and annual change (%) included
- Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2024)
Geographic Breakdown
Business Locations
Heat maps
- Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2024)
- Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2024)
- Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2024)
- Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2024)
Industry Geographic Breakdown
Data Tables
Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:
- Revenue (2024)
- IVA (2024)
- Enterprises (2024)
- Employment (2024)
- Exports (2024)
- Imports (2024)
Competitive Forces
Highlights
Trends
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
Key Takeaways
European inland passenger water transport is concentrated. Top operators win by offering high-quality services, unique routes and competitive pricing, which gives them a significant edge in competition for market share.
Supply Chain
Charts
Buyer and supply industries
Companies
Market Share
Charts
- Industry Market Share by Company (2019-2024)
Companies
Data Tables
Top 10 companies by market share:
- Market share (2024)
- Revenue (2024)
- Profit (2024)
- Profit Margin (2024)
Data Tables
- Countries of operation for Viking River Cruises UK Ltd
- Countries of operation for Phoenix Reisen GmbH
- Countries of operation for CroisiEurope SAS
- Countries of operation for A-ROSA Flussschiff GmbH
- Countries of operation for Collins River Enterprises Ltd
- Countries of operation for Group Voyagers Inc
- Countries of operation for Koln-Dusseldorfer Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt GmbH
- Countries of operation for Bodensee-Schiffsbetriebe GmbH
- Countries of operation for Windermere Lake Cruises Ltd
- Countries of operation for Luftner Cruises GmbH
External Environment
Highlights
Trends
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key Takeaways
Inland passenger water transport companies face stringent environmental rules. In Europe, regulations focusing on reducing environmental impact are heavily influencing the industry’s operations, promoting the adoption of greener technologies and pollution control measures.
External Drivers
Analysis
What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Inland Passenger Water Transport in Europe industry?
Financial Benchmarks
Highlights
Trends
- Profit Margin
- Average Wage
- Largest Cost
Key Takeaways
COVID-19 restrictions drastically reduced passenger numbers in 2020. The strict restrictions on travel heavily impact the tourism sector, leading to a significant decrease in revenue and rising operational costs, like wages.
Cost Structure
Charts
- Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
-
Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
- Marketing
- Depreciation
- Profit
- Purchases
- Wages
- Rent
- Utilities
- Other
Analysis
What trends impact cost in the Inland Passenger Water Transport in Europe industry?
Key Ratios
Data tables
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
Country Benchmarks
European Leaders & Laggards
Data Tables
Top and boottom five countries listed for each:
- Revenue Growth (2024)
- Business Growth (2024)
- Job Growth (2024)
European Country Performance
Data Tables
Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:
- IVA/Revenue (2024)
- Imports/Demand (2024)
- Exports/Revenue (2024)
- Revenue per Employee (2024)
- Wages/Revenue (2024)
- Employees per Establishment (2024)
- Average Wage (2024)
Structural Comparison
Data Tables
Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
- Volatility
- Capital Intensity
- Innovation
- Life Cycle
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
Where does IBISWorld source its data?
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Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
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