The Cruising Industry

 

Although cruise ships sail throughout the world, cruising as a business substantially benefits North America, and cruise lines make up a vital piece of the American Economic Advisors (BREA), the cruise industry contributed $32.4 billion to the U.S. economy in 2005.

Total cruise industry spending supported 330,346 American jobs, generating total wages and salaries of $13.5 billion.

Cruise lines directly employ over 31,600 Americans in their U.S. headquarters offices, field sales positions, support and administrative positions worldwide and on board their ships. During 2005, the cruise industry paid $1.1 billion in U.S. wages, salaries, benefits and wage taxes.

Many cruise industry purchases - from food and beverages served on the ships to crew uniforms - are made in the United States. The combined direct spending of cruise lines and their passengers on American goods and services in 2005 totaled $16.2 billion.

Direct purchases by cruise lines benefited businesses representing virtually every segment of the U. S. economy, including airlines, travel agencies, ground transportation companies, business services, energy, finance, food and beverage and ship repair and maintenance.

Three states - Florida, California and New York - topped the list of economic beneficiaries from cruise lines purchasing and employment in 2005, but the industry's impact reached far beyond the seashore. In fact all 50 states and the District of Columbia benefit from the positive economic contributions of the cruise industry.

The growing popularity of cruising throughout the world has also provided a bonus for U.S. tourism. The number of tourists from other countries who travel to North America for a cruise vacation - and frequently and extended pre- or post-cruise visit - increased by 50 percent in the last half of the past decade.