Global Demand For Cruising Surpasses 22 Million Passengers, Increasing 68 Percent In Ten Years

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Global demand for cruising reached 22.04 million passengers[1] in 2014, up 68 percent from 13.1 million passengers in 2004, 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. Since 2013, demand for cruising grew 3.4 percent, from 21.3 million passengers.

CLIA's 2014 Economic Impact Analysis, an independent study commissioned by CLIA and conducted by Business Research and Economic Advisors (BREA), shows that total contributions[2] of the cruise industry to the global economy reached $119.9 billion in 2014, up from $117 billion the previous year. This includes supporting 939,232 full-time equivalent employees earning $39.3 billion in income. Direct expenditures generated by cruise lines, passengers and crews totaled $55.8 billion.

"The cruise industry is truly a global and dynamic industry," said Cindy D'Aoust, CLIA acting CEO. "We've enjoyed progressive growth over the last 30 years, driven initially by demand from North America, which expanded to Europe, Australia and now Asia. As a result, the cruise industry impacts the global economy generating jobs, income and business growth in all regions of the world."

Where Cruise Passengers Come From
According to CLIA's study, the global cruise industry's 22 million passengers are sourced from around the world. North America accounted for 55 percent or 12.2 million cruise passengers. Europe accounted for 29 percent or 6.4 million passengers. Other regions of the world, including Australia, China, Singapore, Japan and South America, accounted for the remaining 16 percent or 3.5 million passengers.

"The potential for new cruise passenger growth is huge," said D'Aoust. "Apart from North America and Europe, other regions of the world account for nearly 85 percent of the world's population, yet represent only 16 percent of cruisers. That reflects a tremendous opportunity for the cruise industry."

CLIA's 2014 Asia Cruise Trends Study shows that cruise tourism in Asia is growing at double-digit rates, both in capacity and as a passenger source market. Between 2013 and 2015, the number of ships deployed in Asia grew at a 10 percent compound annual growth rate, and the volume of cruises and voyages within and through Asia increased 11 percent. Passenger capacity in Asia increased 20 percent.

"Asia is a prime example of the cruise industry's growth opportunity," said D'Aoust. "The cruise industry is bringing more cruise visits to Asia and the volume of cruise travelers sourced from Asia for cruise tourism worldwide nearly doubled since 2012."

Cruising's Top Ten Countries
CLIA's study shows that a total of 19.2 million cruise passengers were sourced from the top ten countries, accounting for 88 percent of global cruise passengers. These top ten countries are located in all major global regions.

The United States, with 11.21 million passengers, sourced the largest number of cruise passengers, accounting for more than half (51%) of global cruise passengers. Germany and the United Kingdom accounted for 15 percent of global passengers (3.38 million). Australia, Italy and Canada each had more than 800,000 passengers and accounted for 12 percent of global passengers. China, France, Spain and Norway combined accounted for nearly 2 million passengers, or about 10 percent of global passengers.

CLIA's research shows that China is a main driver of passenger growth in Asia, adding 480,000 more cruise travelers since 2012 – a nearly 80 percent compound annual growth rate. And, among the nearly 1.4 million cruise passengers from Asia, China accounted for nearly half of the regional passenger volume in 2014.

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

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_global.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] Ocean cruise passengers, does not include river cruise passengers

[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.

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SOURCE Cruise Lines International Association

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