New CLIA report also finds that rising numbers of people are cruising from Britain and making day calls
By
Rebecca Gibson |
The cruise industry contributed €10.4 billion (US$11.9 billion) to the UK economy in 2017, according to a new report from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
CLIA’s report found that almost 1.1 million people embarked on a cruise from UK ports in 2017 – an increase of 34,000 from 2015 – and more than 80% departed from the port of Southampton. In addition, more than 1.4 million passengers called at UK ports last year, marking a 39% growth from 2015. Meanwhile, just under one million crew members visited the UK.
Passenger and crew spending on shore excursions, food and beverages, souvenirs and other items while in port totalled €559 million. Meanwhile, cruise line purchases hit €2,481 million, €675 million came from cruise line employees’ compensation and €135 million was generated by UK companies carrying out ship repair work. Consequently, direct cruise industry expenditures reached €3.85 billion in 2017 – an 18% rise from 2015 and close to a €1.5 billion increase from 2009.
The report also indicated that indirect and induced expenditures reached €6.55 billion last year.
“The figures released today bear testament to the cruise industry continuing to make significant contributions to the UK’s economy and the multi-billion valuation shows that cruise is a major player within the travel sector,” said Andy Harmer, CLIA UK and Ireland director. “More Brits are choosing a cruise holiday, more cruise passengers are embarking on a cruise from UK ports and the number of ports-of-call visitors continues to increase. This, along with more jobs being created through the cruise industry, translates into great economic benefits for the country.”
The UK’s cruise industry directly supported 37,720 jobs last year, which marks a 10% rise from 2015. Around 17,183 Britons worked for cruise lines, either in administrative offices or as crew onboard ships, and 20,537 were employed by companies that provide goods and services to cruise passengers and cruise lines. This paid €1.41billion in employee compensation.
An estimated 44,690 indirect and induced jobs were also generated by the cruise industry across the UK, generating €1.75 billion in employee compensation. Relative to 2015, indirect and induced employment and compensation impacts increased by 13% and 17% respectively.
“The success of the global cruise industry is set to continue with 24 new ships scheduled to launch in 2019 and 107 new ships on order for delivery before 2027, worth close to US$60 billion,” said Harmer. “As the cruise industry’s confidence in the UK increases, so does the number of ships built for the UK market. P&O Cruises’ Iona, the largest ever cruise ship built for the British market with capacity of over 5,200 passengers, will launch in 2020. And Cunard revealed last year that it is building what will be the largest cruise ship in its history, with the 3,000-passenger ship joining the iconic fleet in 2022. Furthermore, just this month Celebrity Cruises announced that its second Edge-class ship, Celebrity Apex, will be christened in Southampton in 2020 and sail a mini-season in the UK. The ship will join Celebrity Silhouette, marking the first time the line has operated two ships in the UK.”