The cruise industry delivered a £147bn boost to the global economy in 2024, according to a new report from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). Titled Cruising for Impact, the study found that cruise tourism contributed £73bn directly to global GDP and generated total economic output of £147bn.
The figure encompasses job creation, passenger excursions and in-port spending, in addition to revenue from port fees and sustainability taxes. The report also highlighted that the sector supported 1.8 million jobs worldwide, with more than 1.4 million of these on land. These roles range from port logistics and tour operations to transport, hospitality and maritime careers.
Cruise lines employ approximately 300,000 seafarers from over 150 countries, working across 450 job types. According to the WTTC, for every 20 cruise passengers, one full-time job is supported globally. Onboard and onshore employment collectively generated £44bn in wages.
Visiting ports also benefits local communities. In Juneau, Alaska, nearly 1.7 million cruise passengers and 36,000 crew members generated more than £275m in direct spending, supporting 3,850 local jobs in retail, tours and services. The revenue from visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the medieval town of Kotor in Montenegro, can aid maintenance and preservation efforts.
Gloria Guevara, president and chief executive of the 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.”
