Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the leading voice of the cruise industry, shared highlights from the association’s new 2023 Global Economic Impact Study last week at the annual CLIA Cruise Forward conference in Miami. The study revealed the highest global economic impact ever recorded from cruise tourism and reaffirmed that 2023 surpassed 2019 as a benchmark year for cruise industry performance. The report also confirmed the cruise sector’s role as a strong job creator.
In 2023, the cruise industry generated $168.6 billion in total economic impact globally, a 9% increase over 2019. In addition, this growth in economic activity was accompanied by an increase in industry-supported jobs. According to the study, the cruise industry contributed an additional 1.6 million jobs in 2023 and paid $56.9 billion in wages, representing growth over 2019 of 37% and 13%, respectively. 77% of these jobs were land-based. Cruise also contributes $85.6 billion to global GDP, and its growth outpaces that of the global economy.
These latest figures reflect the constant evolution of the cruise industry, driven by the growing popularity of cruise holidays. 31.7 million passengers sailed in 2023, an increase of 7% on the 29.7 million who sailed in 2019.
"The cruise industry is a major contributor to the global economy, generating billions of dollars in economic output and supporting millions of jobs," said Kelly Craighead, CLIA President and CEO. "As demand for cruising continues to grow, our member cruise lines are committed to preserving the integrity, cultural heritage and beauty of cherished destinations so they can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike."
Cruises' contribution benefits multiple sectors including transportation, aviation, food and beverage, accommodation, manufacturing, technology, agriculture, travel agencies and a robust supply chain.
"The industry's economic impact extends long after a cruise ends, as CLIA research shows that 60% of cruise passengers return to a destination they first visited on a cruise for a longer stay," Craighead said.
Highlights from CLIA’s 2023 Global Economic Impact Study can be viewed here. The full report, along with regional-specific studies for the United States, Europe, and Canada, will be published on CLIA’s website next month.
As cruising continues to grow, so does the industry’s commitment to sustainable tourism and destination management. CLIA’s new Guiding Principles for Responsible Tourism present examples of the work done by CLIA member lines to optimize cruise tourism in the destinations they visit. The publication identifies the Sustainable Development Goals to which the industry contributes and provides a framework for continued cooperation and joint activities between the cruise sector, ports and destinations to help preserve the integrity, cultural heritage and beauty of the world’s most treasured destinations for generations to come.
Source: CLIA - Cruise Lines International Association.