The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world's largest cruise industry trade organization, has published its Cruise Industry Outlook 2021 report. It highlights the industry's global economic impact, trend forecasts, and its continued commitment to and leadership in environmental and responsible tourism.
Despite the challenges during 2020, the cruise community has worked tirelessly to develop and implement enhanced public health protocols, and has continued to focus on innovation and sustainable tourism practices that make cruising the best way to experience the world.
The report also reveals optimism on the horizon, with two out of three cruise enthusiasts planning to return this year. Another encouraging statistic is that 58% of international tourists who have never taken a cruise are willing to do so in the coming years.
Economic impact
The report includes an analysis of the global economic impact of 2019, highlighting the significant growth of the cruise industry and its corresponding contributions to the international economy prior to the global health emergency. In 2019, the cruise industry created 1,166,000 jobs, representing $50.53 billion in wages and $154.5 billion in total output worldwide.
In Spain, the cruise industry generated nearly €6 billion in revenue, contributing €2.8 billion to the national GDP. It is estimated that the cruise industry created 50,031 jobs in Spain and generated €1.5 billion in wages.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent suspension of cruise operations have had a devastating impact on the sector. Between mid-March and September 2020, the suspension of cruise operations is estimated to have resulted in losses of more than $77 billion in economic activity, 518,000 jobs, and $23 billion in wages globally. In Spain, these losses amount to more than €2.4 billion in economic activity, more than 20,000 jobs, and €559 million in wages.
Passenger volume
On the other hand, the cruise industry moved a total of 29.7 million passengers worldwide in 2019. The weight of the cruise industry in Spain has been growing in recent years in terms of spending, employment and total economic impact, consolidating Barcelona as the most popular port in all of Europe.
Spain remains the second largest European market for cruise passengers with 10,753,216, a 49% increase compared to 2018, and the fourth largest source market, as 553,000 Spanish cruise passengers traveled on cruises in 2019, a 4.4% increase compared to 2018.
The average passenger spends about $385 before boarding at a destination and an average of $100 at each destination visited during the cruise.
New fleet and new cruise protocols
CLIA anticipates the debut of 20 new ocean-going ships in 2021, bringing the total CLIA fleet to 270, all expected to be operational by the end of 2021. The new fleet will feature enhanced health and safety protocols in preparation for the resumption of operations, with the aim of protecting passengers, crew, and destinations.
The new protocols CLIA has developed under the guidance of health and industry experts include COVID-19 testing for 100% of crew and passengers before boarding, mask use, physical distancing, air management and ventilation strategies, as well as enhanced medical facilities.
From July to mid-December 2020, more than 200 voyages took place with strict health and safety measures in place. The success of these initial voyages demonstrates that the new protocols are working and mitigating the risk of COVID-19 for passengers, crew, and destinations.
Responsible tourism
While CLIA members strengthened their health protocols, the cruise industry has continued its commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable future. The 2021 Cruise Industry Outlook report highlights the $23.5 billion the industry has invested to date in ships with new technologies and fuels, as well as its commitment to reducing its carbon emissions rate by 40% by 2030, compared to 2008 levels. It also highlights the progress the cruise industry is making in adopting new environmental technologies such as:
- Liquefied natural gas (LNG): 49% of future capacity will depend on LNG as the main fuel.
- Exhaust gas cleaning systems (ECGS): 69% of the fleet in service uses EGCS, while 96% that will not operate with LNG will incorporate this technology.
- Advanced wastewater treatment systems: 99% of new ships to be built in the coming years will incorporate these systems, while 70% of the fleet already has them.
- Electrical connection to shore: 58% of new ships will be prepared to connect to the electrical grid on shore, while 32% of the fleet in service can already do so and 25% of the fleet in service will be adapted to be able to do so.
Alfredo Serrano, director of CLIA Spain, states: “These figures demonstrate the enormous contribution of the cruise industry to our economy and should also serve as a stark reminder of the devastating impact that COVID-19 has had on our sector in recent months and on the thousands of people who depend on the cruise industry. Spain boasts the leading cruise port in Europe, is the second largest destination for cruise passengers, and the fourth largest source country in Europe. Therefore, we urge the relevant authorities to define a timetable for restarting operations, based on the recommendations of the European Commission and the stringent health protocols implemented by the cruise lines. Spain must not continue to lose competitiveness compared to other European countries, many of which, like Italy and Greece, began operating almost six months ago.”.
“The cruise industry is an integral part of national economies, and during this crisis, we have seen its importance to coastal and island communities. We will continue working with international health organizations, regulatory bodies, and port destinations to protect public health. The phased restart will be combined with a focus on destination sustainability, in cooperation with the ports and destinations we visit. The cruise industry is one of the most innovative in Europe, and we look forward to helping drive a responsible and sustainable economic recovery,” adds Ukko Metsola, Director General of CLIA Europe.
