US-based Cruise Lines International Association (Clia) is now predicting that 24.2 million people will take an ocean cruise in 2016 – this comes after 23.2 million passengers went on a cruise last year, beating previous forecasts.

Clia unveiled the upgraded forecasts at the 2016 Cruise360 conference in Vancouver, Canada.

Clia president and chief executive Cindy D’Aoust said: “The success in 2015 demonstrates the cruise industry’s continued strength in the overall travel sector.

“This is a direct result of the amazing work and commitment of our community of cruise lines, executive partners and travel agencies and agents.

“With the highest satisfaction rates among all leisure travel segments, it reflects that a cruise holiday is the holiday of choice for travellers around the world.”

Much of the growth in global cruise numbers is being fuelled by the Asian market which saw a 24% rise in passengers in 2015 to more than two million ocean cruise travellers.