22 MARKETWATCH 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 29.7 4.8 20.4 31.5 36.0 37.2 38.5 39.5 5.8 Thirty-six million people will take an ocean cruise in 2024, according to Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) State of the Cruise Industry report. CLIA’s research showed that 31. million passengers took an ocean cruise in 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic figures. It also expects numbers to rise to nearly 40 million per year by 2027. “A holiday at sea offers something for everyone,” said Andy Harmer, managing director of CLIA UK and Ireland. “The word is out as we are seeing more people than ever interested to try out a cruise for the first time.” The report also states that the industry will need to attract four million new-to-cruise travellers to meet the increase in global cruise ship capacity projected from 2023 (644,000 lower berths) to 2025 (703,000). CLIA predicts steady rise in ocean cruise passenger numbers from 2024 Interferry is to focus on improving domestic ferry safety, environmental sustainability and member collaboration as part of its new ‘All Aboard’ strategy for 2024-2026. The association will develop a mentorship programme for new members, as well as continuing to diversify its board of directors to better reflect the 1,200 individuals from its more than 270 member organisations, which represent 40 countries. “All Aboard builds off our current plan and its many successes, while at the same time looking to provide greater value to our membership, add more resources in our regulatory/public affairs area and, most importantly, further our commitment to improving ferry safety in the developing world,” said Mike Corrigan, CEO of Interferry. Read more from Mike Corrigan on page 79 Interferry to focus on safety, sustainability and collaboration Photo: Unsplash/Isaac Struna Ocean-going cruise passengers (millions) Source: CLIA passenger data 2019-2021 and CLIA Cruise Forecast/Toursim Economics Forecast Actual
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzQ1NTk=