by business editor Trevor Sturgess

The Costa Concordia disaster may have dented demand from cruise
first-timers but regulars are staying loyal, according to the
Kent-based organiser of the industry's annual London showcase.

Around 20,000 visitors are expected at this weekend's Telegraph
Cruise Show at Olympia - up 3,000 on last year.

It is run by Escape Events of Hartlip, near Sittingbourne, and
boss Martin Anslow says that experienced cruise passengers are
still booking in big numbers.

However, overall demand had fallen slightly, he said, and that
might be due to first-timers being put off by the tragedy off the
Italian coast and the subsequent engine failure in the Costa
Europa.

Mr Anslow said: "It's horrendous what happened and it's
unfortunate that Costa had two problems one after the other.

"It hasn't affected people who go on cruises regularly but it's
the ones who have never been on a cruise and thinking about it who
may have been put off."

Carnival, the owner of Costa Cruises, will be exhibiting at
Olympia but as an Italian brand, Costa will not be marketed at the
show.

Folkestone-based Saga Cruising will be among around 100
exhibitors. It operates a fleet of three relatively small ships and
Mr Anslow said demand for cruises on smaller vessels was
growing.

The show will also reflect the boom in no-fly cruises, with
753,000 British passengers (up 100,000 on the previous year)
choosing to start their cruise at Dover, Southampton and other UK
ports.

The show is open 10am-5pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday. Advance tickets cost £6 or £10 on the door. To book, visit www.cruisingshow.com or phone 0871 620 4024.