The cruise industry provided a $199bn (£147bn) boost to the global economy in 2024, according to the latest data available on the sector’s financial contribution.
A report from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Cruising for Impact, found that cruise tourism contributed $98.5bn (£73bn) to global gross domestic product (GDP) and generated $199bn (£147bn) in total economic output in 2024.
This came from factors such as job creation plus excursions and in-port spending.
This is on top of the money raised from port fees and sustainability taxes.
The report also found that the cruise industry accounted for 1.8 million jobs in 2024, more than 1.4 million of which were onshore, backing $60.1bn (£44bn) of wages.
For every 20 cruise passengers, one full-time job is supported globally, according to the report.
These jobs range from port logistics and tour operations to transportation, hospitality and maritime careers.
On board, cruise lines employ around 300,000 seafarers from more than 150 countries, working across 450 job types.
Visiting a port can also help support local communities, the report said. This may come from buying a cup of coffee in a local cafe or going on an excursion.
The report highlights that in destinations such as Juneau, Alaska, almost 1.7 million cruise passengers and 36,000 crew members generated more than $375m (£275m) in direct spending. The influx supported 3,850 local jobs across retail, tours and services.
There are also benefits to visiting historical landmarks such as Unesco world heritage sites on a cruise as the revenue generated can support maintenance.
In Montenegro, efforts between cruise operators, the National Tourism Organisation and Unesco have supported development of the medieval town of Kotor, according to WTTC.
Gloria Guevara, president and chief executive, said: “Cruise tourism brings real and lasting positive benefits to communities around the world.
“When travellers discover a destination through cruising and choose to return, they create ongoing opportunities for local businesses, support jobs, and contribute to the long-term vitality of those communities.
“This report highlights the powerful positive impact of cruise tourism, showing how it connects people, supports livelihoods, and creates shared value for destinations around the world.”
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