By
Rebecca Gibson |
New data released by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) indicated that the cruise industry contributed a record US$44.1 billion to the US economy in 2013.
Commissioned by CLIA and completed by Business Research and Economic Advisers, The Contribution of the North American Cruise Industry to the US Economy in 2013 report found that the cruise industry also supported a total of 363,133 jobs across the US, paying wages of US$18.3 billion.
BREA’s study showed that each state was impacted by the cruise industry, ranging from 3,227 jobs and US$138 million in direct purchases in Missouri, to more than 140,400 jobs and US$7.3 billion in direct purchases in Florida.
Meanwhile, US-based direct spending by cruise lines, passengers, and crew totalled US$20.1 billion, nearly double the expenditures generated in 2000. For example, nearly one million cruise passengers visited Alaska, which supported the employment of 18,938 Alaskans with US$866 million in wages. Around 335,000 passengers and crew visited Massachusetts, generating US$491 million in direct spending and 7,876 jobs.
“Taking a cruise is hands down one of the best vacation values available today for consumers,” said Christine Duffy, CLIA president and CEO. “This study shows the cruise industry is also an important economic contributor, supporting businesses and jobs across America, from travel agents who help their clients select from a diverse array of exciting cruise choices, to the businesses in every state that provide products and services to cruise lines.”
Nearly ten million cruise passengers departed on voyages from US ports, representing 57% of the North American cruise industry’s global embarkations. Last year, the top ten cruise ports in the US accounted for 86% of these departures, including California, Texas, and New York, which each had more than 600,000 embarkations. Florida remained the US’ main cruise hub, with its five cruise ports accounting for nearly 62% of the country’s total embarkations in 2013.
Earlier this week, CLIA released a report indicating that the global demand for cruising has increased by 77% over the past decade, from 12 million to 21.3 million passengers. Globally, cruise industry expenditures generated US$117 billion and supported 891,009 full-time equivalent employees who earned a total US$38.47 billion in income.