Nearly 60 pc of cruise passengers revisit destinations first visited on a cruise, often for longer stays, adding value to local economies even after the initial cruise experience.

These and more such interesting insights were revealed by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world’s largest cruise industry trade association, in its 2023 Global Economic Impact Study at the CLIA Cruise Forward conference in Miami. 

According to the CLIA study, which highlighted a historic economic contribution from cruise tourism, 2023 marked a record with the industry generating USD 168.6 billion globally, surpassing 2019 benchmarks and a 9 pc increase over pre-pandemic levels.

CLIA says that the cruise industry supported 1.6 million jobs worldwide and paid USD 56.9 billion in wages. These figures mark a 37 pc increase in jobs and a 13 pc rise in wages compared to 2019. 

CLIA says that remarkably 77 pc of the jobs supported were land-based, underscoring the extensive impact of cruise tourism on onshore communities and industries. 

This growth was fuelled by a renewed demand for cruise vacations, with a total of 31.7 million passengers in 2023, a 7 pc rise from the 29.7 million passengers recorded in 2019.

Kelly Craighead

Kelly Craighead, CLIA’s President and CEO, acknowledged the sector’s broad economic influence, citing contributions across various industries, including transportation, aviation, hospitality and technology. 

“The cruise industry is an important contributor to the global economy, generating billions of dollars in economic output and supporting millions of jobs. As demand for cruising continues to grow, our member cruise lines are committed to preserving the integrity, cultural heritage and beauty of treasured destinations so they can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike,” says Craighead.

This positive economic trend also aligns with the cruise industry’s commitment to sustainable tourism. 

Looking ahead, CLIA forecasts that the annual number of cruise passengers will reach 35.7 million. This growth projection suggests a continuing trajectory of economic expansion, accompanied by a commitment to responsible tourism and environmental stewardship, setting a promising path forward for the industry.