Washington DC, Oct. 04, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global cruise industry contributed $780 million to Washington’s economy in 2016, up 5 percent since 2014, according to a new study from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the largest cruise industry trade association and the leading authority of the global cruise community.
CLIA’s 2016 Economic Impact Analysis, an independent study commissioned by CLIA and conducted by Business Research and Economic Advisors (BREA), shows that the cruise industry’s direct expenditures in Washington generated total economic impacts of 18,129 jobs and $949 million in wages and salaries, up 4.4 percent and 3.4 percent, respectively, since 2014.
“The cruise industry is a critical contributor to the U.S. economy and we see evidence of the industry’s positive effect spreading into every state, including Washington,” said Cindy D’Aoust, CLIA’s president and CEO. “Home to Holland America Line and the Port of Seattle, a major cruise port, Washington is an important market for the cruise industry.”
Embarkations, Cruise Passenger and Crew Spending in Washington
According to CLIA’s study, there were 480,000 passenger embarkations – an increase of 18.6 percent since 2014 -- at the Port of Seattle, Washington’s major cruise port. Cruising from the Port of Seattle generated 711,000 passenger and crew visits, an increase of 18 percent from 2014. These visits produced $40.9 million in passenger and crew onshore spending, or approximately $58 per visit. Due to the increase in passenger and crew visits (which largely resulted from an increase in the number of cruise ships in Washington ports), total passenger and crew spending in Washington increased nearly 20 percent since 2014.
2016 CLIA Economic Impact Analysis
| Washington | Total | Share of the U.S. (percent) |
| Passenger Embarkations | 484,000 | 4.2 |
| Resident Cruise Passengers | 258,000 | 2.2 |
| Total Passenger & Crew Visits | 711,000 | 3.0 |
| Direct Expenditures ($ Millions) | $780 | 3.6 |
| Total Employment Impact | 18,129 | 4.7 |
| Total Wage Impact ($ Millions) | $949 | 4.6 |
Additional findings from CLIA’s study:
- Tourism-related industries received more than $260 million, or 33 percent of the cruise industry’s direct spending in Washington.
- Another $234 million, or 30 percent of the industry’s direct spending in Washington, was spent with businesses in six additional business segments: food processors, petroleum refiners and distributors, and ship repair companies within the manufacturing sector; and advertising agencies, engineering and design companies and management consulting firms in the nonmanufacturing sector.
Top Ten States
According to CLIA’s study, the top ten states benefitting economically from the cruise industry are:
Top Ten States Benefitting Economically from the Global Cruise Industry
| 1. Florida | 6. Washington |
| 2. California | 7. Georgia |
| 3. Texas | 8. Illinois |
| 4. New York | 9. Massachusetts |
| 5. Alaska | 10. New Jersey |
Source: CLIA 2016 Economic Impact Analysis
Global Cruise Industry’s Contributions to the U.S. Economy
The growing economic impact from the cruise industry in Washington reflects the industry’s increasing contribution to the U.S. economy. In 2016, cruise lines, their passengers and crew spent a record $21.69 billion in the U.S., up 15 percent since 2011 and representing a new peak in U.S. cruise industry expenditures. Total contributions1 of the global cruise industry to the U.S. economy reached a record $47.76 billion in 2016, up 3.6 percent from 2014. This includes generating 389,432 U.S. jobs paying more than $20 billion in wages and salaries.
About the CLIA 2016 Economic Impact Analysis
The CLIA 2016 Economic Impact Analysis is an independent study conducted by BREA and commissioned by CLIA. Spending estimates were compiled based on surveys of cruise lines, passengers and crew. Economic impacts of cruise lines, passengers and crew spending were generated using generally accepted input/output methodology. Detailed methodology is outlined in the full report http://cruising.org/docs/default-source/research/us_economicimpact-100217.pdf?sfvrsn=2.
About Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) – One Industry, One Voice
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world’s largest cruise industry trade association, providing a unified voice and leading authority of the global cruise community. The association has 15 offices globally with representation in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. CLIA supports policies and practices that foster a safe, secure, healthy and sustainable cruise ship environment for the more than 24 million passengers who cruise annually and is dedicated to promote the cruise travel experience. Members are comprised of the world’s most prestigious ocean, river and specialty cruise lines; a highly trained and certified travel agent community; and cruise line suppliers and partners, including ports & destinations, ship development, suppliers and business services. The organization’s mission is to be the unified global organization that helps its members succeed by advocating, educating and promoting for the common interests of the cruise community. For more information, visit www.cruising.org or follow Cruise Lines International Association on CLIA Facebook and Twitter pages.
1 Total economic contributions include direct, indirect and induced impacts. This includes direct spending by cruise lines and passengers, including food and beverages, fuel, financial and business services and entertainment in support of cruise operations, as well as the goods and services purchased by the directly impacted businesses and employees from other B2B and B2C enterprises.
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