4% year-on-year growth in total economic output, 22% growth since 2008 despite the economic crisis. In terms of employment generation, in 2013 the cruise industry accounted for 339,417 jobsamounting to 10.5 billion euros in employee compensation, 4% more than in 2012.
BRUSSELS – The cruise industry continues to play its part in helping Europe’s economy emerge from the economic downturn bydelivering another strong year of growth in 2013. Figures released today by CLIA Europe have revealed that the cruise industry’s economic output in Europe reached 39.4 billion euros in 2013, an all-time high, up from 37.9 billion euros in 2012.The direct expenditures generated by the industry reached 16.2 billion euros, up from 15.5 billion euros in 2012.
In terms of employment generation, in 2013 the cruise industry accounted for 339,417 jobsamounting to 10.5 billion euros in employee compensation, 4% more than in 2012.
Three major factors largely account for the cruise industry’s strong year-on-year growth: an increase in European sourcedpassengers; a surge in the number of cruise passengers embarking from European ports; and European shipyards’ continued dominance of the global cruise ship-building business.
According to CLIA Europe’s 2014 Economic Contribution Report, an estimated 6.4 million European residents booked a cruise holiday in 2013, representing a 3.6% increase over 2012 and accounting for 30% of all cruise passengers worldwide. Europe is also a major destination for cruise passengers and ships from around the world, attracting substantial tourism investment and spending. Thus the number of passengers embarking on their cruises from European ports reached 6 million in 2013, i.e. a 5.2% increase over 2012. Around 5 million of these were European nationals, with the remaining 1 million coming from third countries.
European shipyards, which build most of the world’s state-of-the-art cruise liners, enjoyed a 4.7% increase in their revenue. In 2013, cruise lines spent 4.03 billion euros on new builds and refurbishments in Europe,the second annual increase following a period of retrenchment. Currently, including deliveries scheduled for the first half of 2014, European shipyards are under contract to build 24 cruise ships with a combined value of 12.1 billion euros through to 2017.
Pierfrancesco Vago, CLIA Europe’s Chairman, said: “The positive results achieved this year reaffirm Europe’s position as a dynamic hub at the core of the global cruise industry, being the second most important market worldwide. The cruise industry keeps generating great economic benefits for Europeduring this crucial period of recovery, producing much-needed employment for European citizens as well asnew business for its industries and revenue for its states.”
Robert Ashdown, CLIA Europe’s Secretary General, said: “Despite the difficult economic circumstances of 2013, over 6 million Europeans enjoyed cruising last year, more than double the number of a decade ago. Cruising also helpsincrease the number of tourists visiting Europe, with one million third-country nationals embarking on a cruise from a European port in 2013, as well as continuing to ensure Europe remains the global leader for cruise ship-building, with 24 new cruise ships scheduled for delivery by 2017.Beyond these hard economic facts, it is important to remember that cruising remains one of the safest, most affordable and memorable vacation experiences available today.”
Greece has maintained its ranking as the third most popular destination in Europe, with 4.6 million passenger visits in 2013. Greek ports, including Santorini, Corfu, and Mykonos, are among the most popular ports of call in Europe, and Piraeus ranked fifth among all European home ports, with a throughput of 1.3 million passengers, up almost 1% on 2012.
With its hundreds of thousands of tourists per year, the cruise industry makes a significant contribution to the Greek economy. In 2013 the direct economic contribution in Greece was 574 million euros, the seventh highest in Europe, and the cruise industry generated over 11,000 jobs. This was despite difficulties facing the Greek economy, which contracted by 3.9% in 2013, following several years of crisis.
Kyriakos Anastassiadis, CEO of LOUIS Cruises and Member of CLIA Europe’s Executive Committee, said: “With its incredible cultural heritage and natural beauty, Greece remains a key market for the European cruise industry. Thanks to the first signs of economic recovery in Greece and a more positive economic outlook, we are now cautiously optimistic for the future of the Greek cruise industry, which has a huge potential for growth.
“We are committed to tap further into the Greek market’s potential and we will work with local, national and European authorities to overcome the hurdles that are still hampering cruise invest-ment and operations in the country, from port fees to poor infrastructure development. Together we can boost the cruise industry in Greece and make further significant contributions to growth and jobs.”
Key 2013 figures released by CLIA Europe:
- 43 cruise lines domiciled in Europe, operating 125 cruise ships with a capacity of around 145,000 lower berths.
- A further 73 vessels with a capacity of around 104,000 lower berths deployed in Europe by 24 non-European lines.
- 39.4 billion euros in total output.
- 16.2 billion euros in direct spending by cruise lines and their passengers and crew.
- 339,417 jobs.
- 10.5 billion euros in employee compensation.
- 574 million euros indirect economic contribution in Greece (seventh highest in Europe).
- Piraeus is fifth most popular home port in Europe (fourth in the Med) – with a throughput of 1.3 million passengers, up almost 1% on 2012.
- Greek ports are among the most popular ports of call in Europe with Santorini, Corfu and Mykonos taking 3 of the top 11 most popular ‘port of call’ ports in Europe.
- The cruise industry generated over 11,000 jobs in Greece in 2013.
CLIA 2014 EU Economy Fact Sheet
Photo caption: Cruise ships in Santorini island, Greece.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
