Cruise tourism contributes USD 98.5 bn to global GDP: WTTC
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The industry generated USD 199 bn total economic output, supported 1.8 mn jobs & delivered USD 60.1 bn in wages in 2024.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) launched its latest report, Cruising for Impact, highlighting the positive impact that cruise tourism delivers for communities and destinations around the world and creating long-term value in coastal and port destinations.
Alongside these positive impacts, the industry contributed USD 98.5 billion to global GDP and generated USD 199 billion in total economic output, supported 1.8 million jobs, and delivered USD 60.1 billion in wages in 2024, underlining its scale and global reach.
Based on data from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), highlights that over 60% of cruise passengers return to destinations they first discovered via cruise, demonstrating how the sector not only connects travellers to new places, but helps sustain long-term tourism demand and ongoing benefits for local communities.
The report also highlights the depth of cruise tourism’s integration with local economies, with over 1.4 million jobs supported onshore. It further shows that for every 20 cruise passengers, one full-time job is supported globally, directly linking visitor demand to livelihoods across destinations.
WTTC’s research reveals USD 93 billion in direct cruise-related spending, much of which flows into local businesses, supporting entrepreneurs, small enterprises, and tourism micro-economies in port and coastal destinations worldwide.
Through seven core pillars, the report outlines how cruise tourism contributes to positive social outcomes, including job creation and skills development, diversity and inclusion, community enrichment, cultural preservation, infrastructure development, environmental innovation, and health and crisis response.
The report also highlights how cruise tourism is creating positive outcomes through strong collaboration between destinations, communities, and industry partners, helping to ensure that growth is inclusive, sustainable, and delivers long-term value for the places it touches.
With cruise passenger capacity projected to grow by 19% between 2022 and 2028, the sector is expected to play an even greater role in supporting communities and destinations worldwide.
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC, said, “This report highlights the powerful positive impact of cruise tourism, showing how it connects people, supports livelihoods, and creates shared value for destinations around the world.”
WTTC supports governments, destinations and industry leaders in ensuring cruise tourism is fully integrated into national development strategies, with a focus on local sourcing, skills development, and community partnership.
