Cruise Lines Generate $153M in Spending in MD.
BaltimoreBusiness Journal
July 29, 2009
The cruise line industry generated $153 million in spending in Maryland in 2008.
The total was slightly down from 2007's estimation of $159 million, released by Cruise Lines International Association. But Port of Baltimore officials are bullish because the number of cruises from Baltimore is expected to spike in 2009 and beyond.
“Since we have gone from 27 to 79 cruises in just one year, the state will see a dramatic increase in both economic impact and in the number of jobs that are generated each time a cruise ship docks at our port,” Maryland Port Administration Executive Director James J. White said in a statement.
Cruise-related spending in 2008 included $75 million to business services and government, $29 million on transportation, and $28 million on manufacturing, according to CLIA.
Cruising also generated 2,140 jobs in the state paying $107 million in wages.
Officials expect those numbers to rise in coming years. Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean are launching year-round service, and liners such as Celebrity Cruises are adding Baltimore to their list of destinations.
In 2010, 92 cruises are scheduled at the port.