By
Rebecca Gibson |
Europe’s cruise industry generated a record €47.9 billion (US$56.3 billion) in 2017 – a 17% rise from 2015, according to new figures released by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
According to CLIA’s updated European Economic Contribution Report, there were a total of 212 ships based in Europe in 2017 – 137 from 40 European cruise lines and 75 from non-European operators. Around 6.5 million passengers embarked on cruises from Europe (6.1% rise from 2015), making the region the world’s second most popular cruise destination after the Caribbean. Direct expenditure from these cruise lines, their crew members and passengers contributed €19.70 billion to the local economy – up from €16.9 billion in 2015.
“The cruise industry continues to make significant contributions to Europe’s economy,” said David Dingle, chairman of CLIA Europe and chairman of Carnival UK. “Its positive economic benefit is clear as cruise continues to contribute significantly to the European economy through smart sustainable growth. “This is thanks to more Europeans choosing a cruise holiday, more cruise passengers sailing in Europe, and more cruise ships being built in European shipyards. This all translates into substantial economic benefits for the entire continent.”
CLIA’s report found that Europe’s cruise industry generated more than 43,000 new jobs between 2015 and 2017, so there are now 403,621 people employed in cruise and cruise-related businesses. Meanwhile, cruise lines spent €5.6 billion in European shipyards in 2017, a 22.4% increase from 2015, and they are set to build 66 cruise ships with a total value of €29.4 billion between now and 2021.
“We are confident that the cruise industry’s growth in Europe will be sustained for years to come,” said Cindy D’Aoust, CLIA president and CEO. “CLIA continues to work with policymakers, regulators and other stakeholders across a variety of important industry subjects including environmental and sustainability areas. Europe’s economic contribution is a direct result of the impressive growth the cruise industry saw in 2017 as it reached 26.7 million passengers on ocean cruises globally.”