Cruise Industry Spending Rose 2% in 2008, Says CLIA

Travel Weekly
July 29, 2009

The cruise industry contributed $19 billion to the U.S. economy in 2008 in direct spending by cruise lines and their passengers, according to CLIA.

CLIA's annual report on the contribution of the North American cruise industry to the U.S. economy found that the industry contributed 2% more in 2008 than in 2007, despite the economic downturn that started last year.

Adding indirect spending, which includes expenditures of cruise line vendors and businesses that provide goods and services to passengers and crew, the total gross economic impact in the U.S. was $40.2 billion, a 6% increase over 2007, CLIA said.

The cruise industry also generated 357,710 jobs that paid a total of $16.2 billion in wages and salaries nationwide, the report found.

"The cruise industry continues to be an engine of economic growth around the world and a positive force in the United States," said CLIA Executive Vice President Bob Sharak.

"While a 2% annual increase in cruise industry spending represents a slower rate of growth than our industry's historical averages, we are gratified and encouraged to post continued gains during this recessionary environment when many businesses are retrenching."

The study was compiled by Business Research and Economic Advisors of Exton, Pa. CLIA has conducted an economic impact study of the cruise industry every year since 1997.