Stats: CLIA’s 2020 State of the Cruise Industry Report

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is releasing the 2020 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook report. According to the analysis, cruising sustained 1,177,000 jobs equaling $50.24 billion in wages and salaries and $150 billion total output worldwide in 2018.

The report also found that the industry has invested $22 billion in the development of new energy-efficient technologies, partnerships with local governments in key destinations, and a commitment to reducing its rate of carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2030 compared to 2008.

Newly released data shows 32 million passengers are expected to set sail in 2020. To meet ongoing demand, CLIA cruise lines are scheduled to debut 19 new ocean ships in the upcoming year, resulting in a total of 278 CLIA cruise line ocean ships projected to be in operation by the end of 2020.

According to the newly released CLIA 2018 Global Economic Impact Analysis, passengers spend $376 in port cities before boarding a cruise and spend $101 in each visiting port destination during a cruise. North America accounts for the highest rate of cruisers, with 14.2 million North Americans cruising in 2018.

2020 Cruise Industry Trends

Environmental Sustainability – The development and identification of new technologies and cleaner fuels is a top priority for the cruise industry, CLIA said, as the industry continues to make substantial investments in reducing environmental impact. CLIA’s most recent Environmental Technologies and Practice Report shows significant progress towards the adoption of new and innovative practices, while the industry continues to explore new ways to increase efficiencies.

Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) – Forty-four percent of new-build capacity will rely on LNG fuel for primary propulsion.

Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (ECGS) – Sixty-eight percent of global capacity currently utilizes EGCS, while 75 percent of non-LNG new-builds will have EGCS.

Advanced Wastewater Treatment Systems – 100 percent of new builds will have these systems in place.

Shore-side Power – Eighty-eight percent of new-build capacity will have or be configured to add this ability.

Additional Areas of Focus – Battery-propelled vessels, advanced recycling practices, reduced plastic use, energy-efficient lighting, solar energy and fuel cells

Destination Stewardship – With increased demand and growth in the cruise industry comes responsibility to foster respect and cooperation with cruise destinations. In collaboration with local communities, the cruise industry is exploring new and creative ways to manage the flow of visitors and implement the highest standards of responsible tourism including:

  • Partnerships with local governments
  • Staggered arrivals and departures
  • Excursion diversification
  • Shoreside power
  • Local passenger spending

Cruise and Stay: The State of the Cruise Industry Outlook found more travelers are spending time in and near cruise ports. In fact, 65 percent of cruise passengers spend a few extra days at embarkation or debarkation ports.

Reduce Single-Use Plastic: The study found that more than eight of ten cruise passengers recycle (82 percent) and reduce using single-use plastics (80 percent) while traveling. Seven out of ten cruisers also forego plastic straws.

Generation Cruise Positive: The attitude around cruising is changing, no matter the generation. More than 66 percent of Generation X and 71 percent of Millennials have a more positive attitude about cruising compared to two years ago.

Lone Cruisers: Marriage rates are declining and the number of single adults is growing globally. As a result, cruise lines are responding to the shift in passenger demographics by offering studio cabins, single-friendly activities, eliminating single supplements and solo-lounges.

Micro Travel: Trip durations are continuing to change, with many travelers looking for quick trips. Cruise lines are offering bite-sized cruises over a three-to-five-day period, offering shorter itineraries to a variety of destinations.

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