Global Cruise Industry Contributes $509 Million To Illinois Economy

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The global cruise industry contributed $509 million to Illinois's economy in 2014, up 3 percent from 2013 and accounting for 2.4 percent of the cruise industry's spending nationwide, according to a new study from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the largest cruise industry trade association and the leading authority of the global cruise community.  

CLIA's 2014 Economic Impact Analysis, an independent study commissioned by CLIA and conducted by Business Research and Economic Advisors (BREA), shows that the cruise industry's direct expenditures in Illinois generated total[1] economic impacts of 7,799 jobs and $475 million in wages and salaries.

"The cruise industry is a critical contributor to the U.S. economy and we see evidence of the industry's positive effect spreading into every state, including Illinois," said Cindy D'Aoust, CLIA's acting CEO. "Despite the fact that Illinois has no cruise port, it is a major source market for cruise passengers, resulting in direct spending with travel agencies, airlines, hotels and other businesses."

2014 CLIA Economic Impact Analysis

Additional findings from CLIA's study:

• Cruise passengers traveling worldwide from Illinois totaled 144,000.
• Tourism-related businesses received approximately $ 69 million, or 14 percent of the cruise industry's $509 million in direct spending in Illinois.
• Another $153 million was spent with businesses in support industries, such as food processors, paper manufacturers, apparel and textile firms, advertising agencies and insurance companies.

Top Ten States
According to CLIA's study, the top ten states benefitting economically from the cruise industry include:

1. Florida                                                 
2. California                                                          
3. Texas                                                  
4. New York                                             
5. Alaska
6. Washington
7. Georgia
8. Illinois
9. Massachusetts
10. New Jersey

Global Cruise Industry's Contributions to the U.S. Economy
The growing economic impact from the cruise industry in Illinois reflects the industry's increasing contribution to the U.S. economy. In 2014, cruise lines, their passengers and crew spent a record $21 billion in the U.S. in 2014, up 16 percent since 2010 and representing a new peak in U.S. cruise industry expenditures. Total contributions[2] of the global cruise industry to the U.S. economy reached a record $46.09 billion in 2014, up 4.5 percent from the previous year. This includes generating 373,738 U.S. jobs paying more than $19 billion in wages and salaries.

Infographics on the Cruise Industry Economic Impact Study are available at http://cruising.org/docs/default-source/research/2015_clia_economic-impact-infographic.pdf.  

Cruise Industry Celebrates National Plan A Cruise Month
CLIA's report coincides with National Plan a Cruise Month, an initiative where the cruise industry comes together to help consumers across the country discover cruising by featuring unprecedented cruise vacation offers - from chances to win dream cruise vacations each day of the month, and discovering new cruises and destinations - to receiving the best cruise deals and promotions.

To celebrate, the cruise industry has launched #CruiseSmile, a chance to win one of 31 cruise vacations from 23 different cruise lines, awarded each day in October. For information on how to enter, visit http://cruisesmile.org/.

About the CLIA 2014 Economic Impact Analysis
The CLIA 2014 Economic Impact Analysis is an independent study conducted by BREA and commissioned by CLIA. Spending estimates were compiled based on surveys of cruise lines, passengers and crew. Economic impacts of cruise lines, passengers and crew spending were generated using generally accepted input/output methodology. Detailed methodology is outlined in the full report http://cruising.org/docs/default-source/market-research/clia_2014eis_us.pdf.

About Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) – One Industry, One Voice
Celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2015, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the unified voice and leading authority of the global cruise community. As the largest cruise industry trade association with 15 offices globally, CLIA has representation in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. CLIA's mission is to support policies and practices that foster a safe, secure, healthy and sustainable cruise ship environment for the more than 22 million passengers who cruise annually, as well as promote the cruise travel experience. Members are committed to the sustained success of the cruise industry and are comprised of the world's most prestigious ocean, river and specialty cruise lines; a highly trained and certified travel agent community; and other cruise industry partners, including ports, destinations, ship developers, suppliers, business services and travel operators. For more information, visit www.cruising.org or follow Cruise Lines International Association on the CLIA Facebook and Twitter fan pages.

[1] Total economic contributions include direct, indirect and induced impacts. This includes direct spending by cruise lines and passengers, including food and beverages, fuel, financial and business services and entertainment in support of cruise operations, as well as the goods and services purchased by the directly impacted businesses and employees from other B2B and B2C enterprises.

[2] Total economic contributions include direct, indirect and induced impacts. This includes direct spending by cruise lines and passengers, including food and beverages, fuel, financial and business services and entertainment in support of cruise operations, as well as the goods and services purchased by the directly impacted businesses and employees from other B2B and B2C enterprises.

SOURCE Cruise Lines International Association

Related Links

http://www.cruising.org