The numbers are in and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has revealed that in 2023 cruise tourism produced its highest-ever global economic impact.
Figures shared at CLIA’s Cruise Forward conference in Miami showed that in 2023, the cruise industry generated US$168.6 billion in total economic impact globally, a 9% increase over 2019, and supported 1.6 million jobs worldwide, 77% of them land based.
“The contribution of cruise benefits multiple sectors, including transportation, aviation, food and beverage, lodging, manufacturing, technology, agriculture, travel agencies, and a robust supply chain,” said Kelly Craighead, president and CEO of CLIA.
Beyond the impressive headline figures, conference delegates were told that the economic impact of the industry extends long after a cruise ends.
“ CLIA research shows that 60% of cruise passengers return to a destination they first visited on a cruise for a longer stay,” said Craighead.
The study confirmed that 2023 surpassed 2019 as the benchmark year for cruise industry performance. Crucially, cruise contributes US$85.6 billion to global GDP, with its growth outpacing that of the global economy.
The raw numbers showed 31.7 million passengers sailed in 2023, an increase of 7% from the 29.7 million that sailed in 2019.