- Cruise tourism generates nearly $120 billion in its global economic contribution
Global cruise demand reached 22.04 million passengers in 2014, a 68% increase from the 13.1 million passengers in 2004.[1] This data comes from a new study by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the largest trade association in the cruise industry and the leading authority for the global cruise community. Since 2013, cruise demand has grown by 3.4%, from 21.3 million passengers.
CLIA's 2014 Economic Impact Analysis, an independent study commissioned by CLIA and conducted by Business Research and Economic Advisors (BREA), reveals that the cruise industry's total contribution to the global economy[2] reached $119.9 billion in 2014, up from $117 billion the previous year. These figures also include the 939,232 full-time employees with $39.3 billion in revenue. Direct spending by cruise lines, passengers, and crew totaled $55.8 billion.
“The cruise industry is a truly global and dynamic industry,” said Cindy D’Aoust, interim CEO of CLIA. “We have enjoyed progressive growth over the past 30 years, initially driven by demand from North America, and subsequently expanding to Europe, Australia, and now Asia. As a result, the cruise industry’s impact on the global economy has generated jobs, revenue, and business growth in every region of the world.”.
Where do the passengers come from?
According to the CLIA study, the 22 million passengers in the global cruise industry come from regions all over the world. North America accounted for 55%, or 12.2 million cruise passengers. Europe accounted for 29%, or 6.4 million passengers. Other regions of the world, including Australia, China, Singapore, Japan, and South America, accounted for the remaining 16%, equivalent to 3.5 million passengers.
Origin of cruise passengers (millions)
Source: CLIA Economic Impact Analysis 2014
“The growth potential for cruise passengers is enormous,” D’Aoust emphasized. “In addition to North America and Europe, there are other regions of the world that represent 85% of the global population but only account for 16% of cruise passengers. This reflects a huge opportunity for the cruise industry.”.
The CLIA Cruise Trends Study 2014 shows that cruise tourism in Asia is growing at double-digit rates, both in capacity and passenger source market. Between 2013 and 2015, the number of ships deployed in Asia grew by 10% annually, and the volume of cruises and voyages within and through Asia increased by 11%. Overall, passenger capacity in Asia increased by 20%.
“Asia is an excellent example of the growth opportunity for the cruise industry,” D’Aoust noted. “The cruise industry is attracting more cruise ship visits to Asia, and the volume of cruise passengers for global cruise tourism from Asia has practically doubled since 2012.”.
Top Ten Cruise Countries
The CLIA study shows that a total of 19.2 million cruise passengers come from the top ten countries, representing 88% of global cruise passengers. These ten countries are located in the world's major regions:
Top Ten Cruise Countries, Passengers by Country (Millions)
Source: CLIA Economic Impact Analysis 2014
The United States, with 11.21 million passengers, was the country of origin for the largest number of cruise passengers, accounting for more than half (51%) of global cruise passengers. Germany and the United Kingdom each accounted for 15% of global passengers (3.38 million). Australia, Italy, and Canada each had more than 800,000 passengers, representing 12% of global passengers. China, France, Spain, and Norway combined accounted for nearly 2 million passengers, or about 10% of global passengers.
CLIA's study shows that China is the main driver of passenger growth in Asia, having added 480,000 cruise travelers since 2012 – a compound annual growth rate of nearly 80%. And, among Asia's nearly 1.4 million cruise passengers, China accounted for almost half of the regional passenger volume in 2014.
About CLIA's 2014 Economic Impact Analysis
The CLIA Economic Impact Analysis 2014 is an independent study conducted by BREA and commissioned by CLIA. Estimated expenditures were compiled based on surveys of cruise lines, passengers, and crew. The economic impacts on cruise lines, passengers, and crew were generated using the generally accepted input/output methodology. The detailed methodology can be found in the full report at http://cruising.org/docs/default-source/market-research/clia_2014eis_global.pdf
About the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) – One Industry, One Voice
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2015, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the leading authority and voice of the global cruise community. With 15 offices worldwide and representation in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australasia, CLIA is the largest association in the cruise industry. CLIA's mission is to support policies and practices that foster a safe and sustainable environment for the more than 23 million cruise passengers who travel annually, as well as to promote the cruise experience. CLIA members, which include the world's most prestigious ocean, river, and specialty cruise lines, are committed to the sustainable success of the cruise industry. CLIA also comprises a community of highly trained and certified travel agents and other cruise industry partners, including ports, destinations, ship promoters, suppliers, corporate services, and tour operators. For more information, visit www.cruising.organdwww.cruiseforward.org. You can also stay up-to-date with all CLIA news through their Facebookand Twitter.
[2]The total economic contribution includes direct, indirect, and induced impacts. This includes direct spending by cruise lines and passengers, including food and beverages, fuel, financial and business services, as well as entertainment and support for cruise operations, and goods and services purchased by directly integrated companies and employees of other B2B and B2C companies.
