Cruise tourism generates record...

Growth demonstrates potential for GCC region cruise sector

Cruise tourism generated a record US$4.27 billion to the Caribbean and Latin America in the past year.

The total was up by more than a quarter than the previous record set in pre-pandemic 2018, showing that the industry is more than "bouncing back" as the Gulf looks to boost cruise tourism.

The study by the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) covering 33 destinations, shows that the sector supports more than 94,000 jobs paying US$1.27 billion in wages.

Cruise lines spent US$968.3 million, an average of US$29.3 million per destination, while destinations attracted 29.4 million visits from cruise passengers, with an average spend of US$104.36 per person, generating a total of US$3.07 billion.

Destinations also welcomed 3.9 million visits from crew, with an average spend of US$58.78, generating a total of US$229.5 million.

The 33.3 million passenger and crew visits represented a 13% increase compared to the previous study. The 31 common destinations in the 2018 and 2024 studies experienced a 17% increase in passenger visits.

Average per passenger spend rose for 26 of the 31 common destinations, and 14 destinations recorded average spend rates above US$100 per passenger – up from 12 in 2018.

The Bahamas (pictured) was found to benefit most from cruise to the tune of more than $650 million in the period, followed by Cozumel in Mexico at US$483 million.

The study, released at the 30th annual FCCA cruise conference and trade show in St Maarten, did not include indirect benefits of cruise tourism, including supplies purchased by tour operators, restaurants and port authorities, though the estimates of these expenditures served as the basis for total employment and wage impacts.

FCCA chief executive Michele Paige said: “We could not be prouder of these results and what they mean for the lives and livelihoods of so many throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.

“In addition to showing what cruise tourism brings to these destinations’ economies, many of the study’s findings will also serve as the foundation of building further mutual success between cruise lines and destination stakeholders.”

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