By
Rebecca Gibson |
The North American cruise industry contributed more than US$42 billion to the US economy in 2012, close to a five per cent increase since 2011, according to a study commissioned by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
The State of the North American Cruise Industry in 2012 report – conducted by Business Research and Economic Advisors – indicated that direct spending by the cruise industry rose by four per cent to US$19.6 billion during the year. The industry also delivered significant economic benefits to local and port communities nationwide, generating around 356,311 jobs and a record US$17.4 billion in wages.
CLIA’s 26 North American member cruise lines carried a record 16.95 million passengers on worldwide cruises in 2012, while more than ten million passengers departed from US ports. This is a 2.5 per cent increase from 2011 and accounts for almost two thirds of CLIA North America member cruise line global embarkations.
“The cruise industry is a growing contributor to our nation’s economy and the economic benefits of cruising go beyond port communities as all 50 states benefit from the cruise industry’s direct and indirect spending,” said Christine Duffy, CLIApresident and CEO. “Various businesses nationwide contribute products and services that are integral to the cruise experience. The study demonstrates that cruising, aside from being a fun and affordable vacation option, continues to spur US economic growth.”
The research showed that more than three quarters of the impact was concentrated in the states of Florida, California, Texas, New York, Alaska, Washington, Georgia, Massachusetts, Illinois and New Jersey.
Florida ports handled around six million embarkations – almost two thirds of the total number- while businesses in the region received US$7 billion, more than a third of direct expenditures generated by the country’s cruise industry.
Accounting for eight per cent of the total US embarkations, with 837,000 passengers leaving the ports last year, the Californian ports received US$2.4 billion and 42,833 jobs through direct expenditure.
Galveston in Texas was the second-fastest growing cruise port last year, welcoming 863,000 passengers and crew in(?) 604,000 embarkations. With over US$1.2 billion in direct spending and 19,745 jobs paying nearly US$1.1 billion in total income, Texas also accounted for 6.3 per cent of the industry’s overall spending nationwide.
Cruise activity in New York generated US$1.24 billion – around 6.3 per cent of the industry's direct expenditures – and an estimated 16,342 jobs.
Welcoming around 3.55 million cruise calls, Alaskan ports handled around two thirds of the country’s port-of-call visits, creating 22,632 jobs and an income of US$1.03 billion.