Cruise tourism not only connects destinations, but also boosts the local economy and employment. This is the main conclusion of the latest "Cruising for Impact" report, presented by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), which highlights that for every 20 cruise passengers, one full-time job is generated worldwide.
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The study highlights the industry's role as a driver of development in coastal and port destinations, where the flow of travellers translates directly into job opportunities and economic growth. In total, the industry generated 1.8 million jobs in 2024, of which almost 80% were created on land, confirming its strong impact on local economies.
Moreover, the industry's contribution was significant in macroeconomic terms: cruise tourism contributed $98.5 billion (about €90.6 billion) to global GDP and generated a total economic output of $199 billion (€183 billion).
This is in addition to $60.1 billion (€55.3 billion) in wages, reflecting the global reach of this activity.
New markets
The report indicates that more than 60% of passengers return to destinations they first visited on a cruise. This phenomenon reinforces the role of the sector as a gateway to new tourism markets and as a long-term demand generator.
Direct spending linked to cruises reached $93 billion (about €85.5 billion), much of which is channelled to local businesses, from small shops to tourism suppliers, thus strengthening the micro-economies of destinations.
The report also highlights that the positive impact of cruise tourism goes beyond the economic. The sector contributes to social development through job creation, talent development, inclusion, cultural preservation and infrastructure improvement, as well as fostering environmental innovation and resilience to crises.
Good growth prospects
The sector's growth prospects reinforce this trend. Cruises account for just 2% of the global holiday market, with more than 35 million travellers per year, so there is plenty of room for growth. Passenger capacity is expected to increase by 19% between 2022 and 2028, which will further consolidate their role in the economic and social development of destinations.
WTTC concludes that with the right collaboration between governments, industry and communities, cruise tourism can continue to expand its contribution to more inclusive, sustainable and resilient economies around the world.