From cities at sea to overwhelming destinations with mass tourism, cruising sometimes gets a bad name. But a new report from the World Travel & Tourism Council highlights the positive impact of the sector, including supporting 1.8 million jobs worldwide and generating US$199 billion in global economic output.
The WTTC’s just-released ‘Cruising for Impact’ report goes beyond the headline numbers to highlight the sector’s positive impact on communities – from supporting local businesses and livelihoods to driving long-term value in coastal and port destinations.
A key finding, based on data from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), highlights that over 60% of cruise passengers return to destinations they first discovered via cruise, demonstrating how the sector not only connects travellers to new places, but helps sustain long-term tourism demand and ongoing benefits for local communities.
The report also highlights the depth of cruise tourism’s integration with local economies, with over 1.4 million jobs supported onshore. It further shows that for every 20 cruise passengers, one full-time job is supported globally, directly linking visitor demand to livelihoods across destinations.
WTTC’s research reveals US$93 billion in direct cruise-related spending, much of which flows into local businesses, supporting entrepreneurs, small enterprises, and tourism micro-economies in port and coastal destinations worldwide.
Through seven core pillars, the report outlines how cruise tourism contributes to positive social outcomes, including job creation and skills development, diversity and inclusion, community enrichment, cultural preservation, infrastructure development, environmental innovation, and health and crisis response.
The report also highlights how cruise tourism is creating positive outcomes through strong collaboration between destinations, communities, and industry partners, helping to ensure that growth is inclusive, sustainable, and delivers long-term value for the places it touches.
With cruise passenger capacity projected to grow by 19% between 2022 and 2028, the sector is expected to play an even greater role in supporting communities and destinations worldwide.
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC, 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.”
WTTC supports governments, destinations and industry leaders in ensuring cruise tourism is fully integrated into national development strategies, with a focus on local sourcing, skills development, and community partnership.
By aligning growth with long-term social value, the report concludes that cruise tourism can play an even greater role in supporting inclusive, resilient, and thriving communities worldwide.
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