Study Shows U.S. Cruise Industry A Substantial Contributor to U.S. EconomyAlaska ports received about 3.55 million cruise passenger visits, approximately 65 percent of all port-of-call cruise passenger visits to U.S.
July 18, 2013
After a strong rebound in 2010 and 2011 from the recession induced impacts of 2009, the North American cruise industry continued to expand in 2012. According to the study, CLIA's North American member cruise lines carried a record 16.95 million passengers on cruises worldwide in 2012, a 3.8 percent increase from the previous year. More than 10 million passengers embarked on their cruises at U.S. ports - another all-time high - delivering significant economic benefits to local and port communities nationwide. Every week, cruise ships provision in U.S. ports prior to embarking on an itinerary and purchase products and services from American business across the nation. "The cruise industry is a growing contributor to our nation's economy and the economic benefits of cruising go beyond port communities as all 50 states benefit from the cruise industry's direct and indirect spending," said Christine Duffy, CLIA's president and CEO. "Various businesses nationwide contribute products and services that are integral to the cruise experience. The study demonstrates that cruising, aside from being a fun and affordable vacation option, continues to spur U.S. economic growth." "The State of the North American Cruise Industry in 2012" was prepared for CLIA by Business Research & Economic Advisors (BREA) of Exton, Pennsylvania. Key findings include: Total economic impact on the U.S. economy grew by 4.6 percent to $42.3 billion in 2012, with direct spending by the cruise industry growing by 4.0 percent to $19.6 billion. During 2012, CLIA's North American cruise line members carried nearly 17 million passengers on cruises around the globe. This represented a 3.8 percent increase from the previous year. An estimated 10.1 million cruise passengers embarked on their cruises at U.S. ports, accounting for 59 percent of the CLIA North America member cruise line global embarkations and representing a 2.5 percent increase from 2011. The North American cruise industry benefited every state in the nation through direct purchases of goods and services, with approximately 80 percent of the impact concentrated in ten states – Florida, California, Texas, New York, Alaska, Washington, Georgia, Massachusetts, Illinois and New Jersey. Alaska is the premier cruise destination market in the United States. During 2012, Alaska ports received about 3.55 million cruise passenger visits, approximately 65 percent of all port-of-call cruise passenger visits at U.S. ports. Tourism-related businesses, such as tour operators, airlines, hotels, etc., received approximately $657 million, approximately 63 percent of the industry’s direct expenditures in Alaska. Another $64 million was spent with Alaska businesses in five additional business segments, food processors and petroleum refiners and distributors within the manufacturing sector; and employment agencies, trucking companies and utilities in the nonmanufacturing sector. Key data points for the top five states impacted by the cruise industry include:
Edited by Mary Kauffman, SitNews
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