Cruise Industry Saw Continued Growth, Contributing Record $46 Billion to U.S. Economy and Welcoming 11 Million Passengers Embarking at U.S. Ports
WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2015 –Cruise lines, their passengers and crew spent a record $21 billion in the U.S. in 2014, up 16 percent since 2010 and representing a new peak in U.S. cruise industry expenditures, according to a new study from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the largest cruise industry trade association and the leading authority of the global cruise community.
CLIA’s 2014 Economic Impact Analysis, an independent study commissioned by CLIA and conducted by Business Research and Economic Advisors (BREA), shows that total contributions[1] of the global cruise industry to the U.S. economy reached a record $46.09 billion in 2014, up 4.5 percent from the previous year. This includes generating 373,738 U.S. jobs paying more than $19 billion in wages and salaries.
“The global cruise industry is a critical contributor to the U.S. economy and we see evidence of the industry’s positive effect spreading across the country,” said Cindy D’Aoust, CLIA’s acting CEO. “In each of the 50 states, we saw cruise lines purchasing goods or services in support of their operations, and passengers traveling for their cruise vacations. The cruise industry is thriving and making an important economic contribution.”
Record U.S. Embarkations
According to CLIA’s study, more than 11 million cruise passengers worldwide embarked from U.S. ports in 2014, setting a new high and marking the largest increase (11 percent) in ten years.
The top ten U.S. cruise ports[2] accounted for 88 percent of 2014 embarkations, and Florida accounted for 62 percent of all U.S. embarkations. Embarkations in California’s four ports totaled 984,000 in 2014, a 49 percent increase.
“Florida remains the center of cruising in the United States, but we saw tremendous growth in California’s ports,” said D’Aoust. “California’s increase was primarily driven by a rebound in cruises originating in Los Angeles and Long Beach. These ports saw increased embarkations as more three- and four-day cruises were offered, addressing cruise consumers’ desire for short getaways and additional options.”
Cruise Industry Growth Not Limited to the U.S.
CLIA’s study shows that globally, demand for cruising worldwide increased 68 percent in the last ten years, from 13.14 million passengers in 2004 to 22.04 million passengers[3] in 2014. Since 2013, demand grew 3.4 percent. Globally, cruise industry expenditures generated $119.9 billion in total[4] output, supporting 939,232 full-time equivalent employees who earned $39.3 billion in income.
“The cruise industry is truly a global and dynamic industry,” said D’Aoust. “We’ve enjoyed progressive growth over the last 30 years, driven initially by demand from North America, which expanded to Europe, Australia and now Asia. As a result, the cruise industry today impacts the global economy, generating jobs, income and business growth in all regions of the world.”
Infographics on the Cruise Industry Economic Impact Study are available at http://cruising.org/docs/
Cruise Industry Celebrates National Plan A Cruise Month
CLIA’s report coincides with National Plan a Cruise Month, an initiative where the cruise industry comes together to help consumers across the country discover cruising by featuring unprecedented cruise vacation offers – from chances to win dream cruise vacations each day of the month, and discovering new cruises and destinations – to receiving the best cruise deals and promotions.
To celebrate, the cruise industry has launched #CruiseSmile, a chance to win one of 31 cruise vacations from 23 different cruise lines, awarded each day in October. For information on how to enter, visit www.cruisesmile.org.
About the CLIA 2014 Economic Impact Analysis
The CLIA 2014 Economic Impact Analysis is an independent study conducted by BREA and commissioned by CLIA. Spending estimates were compiled based on surveys of cruise lines, passengers and crew. Economic impacts of cruise lines, passengers and crew spending were generated using generally accepted input/output methodology. Detailed methodology is outlined in the full report http://cruising.org/docs/
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