Cruise Industry Generates 6,000 Jobs in Pennsylvania, $368 Million Flows into Local Economy

07-29-2009

2008 Economic Data Shows Industry’s Continued Contributions to Pennsylvania’s Economy

 

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, July 29, 2009 - The North American cruise line industry contributed $368 million in direct spending to Pennsylvania’s economy in 2008. Cruising generated 6,065 in-state jobs paying $291 million in wages. The cruise line industry’s 2008 economic impact data was announced today by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) in a report entitled, “The Contributions of the North American Cruise Industry to the U.S. Economy in 2008.”   

 

Pennsylvania is a major source market for cruise passengers and, with the port of Philadelphia, is home to cruise operations as well. In 2008, 14,000 passengers embarked on cruises from the Port of Philadelphia and Camden. It also supports the industry with a wide range of goods and services. Business sectors in Pennsylvania most impacted by cruise line and passenger spending included business services and government ($172 million), transportation ($60 million) and manufacturing ($94 million).

 

“In Pennsylvania, from East to West, and every state in between, cruising remains one of the most attractive alternatives for Americans demanding affordable prices and diverse options in their vacations,” said CLIA President and CEO Terry L. Dale.

 

Nationwide, the cruise line industry continued to have a significant and stabilizing impact on the U.S. economy in 2008. The top line results from the economic study show growth in four main categories: direct spending, total output, job creation and wages. 

 

In 2008, direct spending in goods and services by cruise lines and their passengers totaled $19.07 billion, a two percent increase over the previous year. Adding indirect spending, which includes expenditures of cruise line vendors and those businesses that provide the goods and services to passengers and crew, the total gross economic impact in the United States was $40.2 billion – a six percent increase over 2007.

 

The cruise industry also generated 357,710 jobs that paid a total of $16.2 billion in wages and salaries nationwide, according to the report, which was compiled by Business Research and Economic Advisors (BREA) of Exton, Pa. CLIA began conducting a national cruise industry economic impact study in 1997, and has conducted one every year since then. Last year represents the eleventh consecutive year of growth in job creation in the cruise vacation industry.     

 

The release of the industry’s 2008 economic impact data coincides with the launch of CLIA’s new information portal, www.CruiseIndustryFacts.com. The site is intended to provide information about the operations of the cruise line industry and highlights the industry’s commitment to protecting the environment and ensuring the health and security of passengers while cruising. The portal contains information on the industry’s compliance with national and international standards as well as best practices and various initiatives.

 

“The Contribution of the North American Cruise Industry to the U.S. Economy in 2008” full report, an Executive Summary and interactive map featuring data for all 50 states are available at www.CruiseIndustryFacts.com.

 

 

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About CLIA

The nonprofit Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is North America’s largest cruise industry organization. CLIA represents the interests of 24 member lines and participates in the regulatory and policy development process while supporting measures that foster a safe, secure and healthy cruise ship environment. CLIA is also engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise vacations and counts as members 16,000 travel agencies. For more information on CLIA, the cruise industry, and CLIA-member cruise lines and travel agencies, visit www.cruising.org.

 

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