WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The global cruise industry contributed $7.95 billion to Florida's economy in 2014, increasing 8.4 percent since 2013 and accounting for 38 percent of the cruise industry's spending nationwide, according to a new study from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the largest cruise industry trade association and the leading authority of the global cruise community.  

CLIA's 2014 Economic Impact Analysis, an independent study commissioned by CLIA and conducted by Business Research and Economic Advisors (BREA), shows that the cruise industry's direct expenditures in Florida generated total economic impacts[1] of 146,401 jobs and $6.8 billion in wages and salaries. In 2014, Florida's total employment impact increased by 4.3 percent while the total wage impact rose by 4.6 percent.

"The cruise industry is a critical contributor to the U.S. economy and we see evidence of the industry's positive effect spreading into every state, with Florida at the helm," said Cindy D'Aoust, CLIA's acting CEO. "Florida is not only the center for cruise organizations, it is the center of just about all aspects of the cruise industry."

Cruise Passenger and Crew Spending in Florida
According to CLIA's study, cruising at Florida ports generated 10.5 million passenger and crew visits, representing nearly half (45 percent) of all passenger and crew visits in the U.S. These visits produced $1.04 billion in passenger and crew onshore spending, or nearly $100 per visit. Total passenger and crew spending in Florida increased 9.6 percent from 2013.

"Florida is the first and only state to generate more than $1 billion in annual passenger and crew expenditures," said D'Aoust.

2014 CLIA Economic Impact Analysis

Additional findings from CLIA's study:

• Nearly 7 million (6.89 million) cruisers embarked from one of Florida's five cruise ports (Port of Miami, Port Everglades, Port Canaveral, Port of Tampa and Port of Jacksonville), accounting for 62 percent of embarkations at all U.S. ports.
• The cruise industry directly employed more than 16,000 Floridians, representing approximately 60 percent of the total employment of all cruise lines throughout the U.S.
• Tourism-related industries received approximately $3.6 billion, or 45 percent of the cruise industry's $7.95 billion in direct spending in Florida.
• Another $1 billion, or 13 percent of the total, was spent with businesses in six additional business segments: food processors, machinery manufacturers and chemical manufacturers, advertising agencies, management and technical consulting companies and manpower agencies in the non-manufacturing sector.

Top Ten States
According to CLIA's study, the top ten states benefitting economically from the cruise industry are:

1. Florida
2. California
3. Texas
4. New York
5. Alaska
6. Washington
7. Georgia
8. Illinois
9. Massachusetts
10. New Jersey

Global Cruise Industry's Contributions to the U.S. Economy
The growing economic impact from the cruise industry in Florida reflects the industry's increasing contribution to the U.S. economy. In 2014, cruise lines, their passengers and crew spent a record $21 billion in the U.S. in 2014, up 16 percent since 2010 and representing a new peak in U.S. cruise industry expenditures. Total contributions[2] of the global cruise industry to the U.S. economy reached a record $46.09 billion in 2014, up 4.5 percent from the previous year. This includes generating 373,738 U.S. jobs paying more than $19 billion in wages and salaries.

Infographics on the Cruise Industry Economic Impact Study are available at http://cruising.org/docs/default-source/research/2015_clia_economic-impact-infographic.pdf.

Cruise Industry Celebrates National Plan A Cruise Month
CLIA's report coincides with National Plan a Cruise Month, an initiative where the cruise industry comes together to help consumers across the country discover cruising by featuring unprecedented cruise vacation offers - from chances to win dream cruise vacations each day of the month, and discovering new cruises and destinations - to receiving the best cruise deals and promotions.

To celebrate, the cruise industry has launched #CruiseSmile, a chance to win one of 31 cruise vacations from 23 different cruise lines, awarded each day in October. For information on how to enter, visit http://cruisesmile.org/.

About the CLIA 2014 Economic Impact Analysis
The CLIA 2014 Economic Impact Analysis is an independent study conducted by BREA and commissioned by CLIA. Spending estimates were compiled based on surveys of cruise lines, passengers and crew. Economic impacts of cruise lines, passengers and crew spending were generated using generally accepted input/output methodology. Detailed methodology is outlined in the full report http://cruising.org/docs/default-source/market-research/clia_2014eis_us.pdf.

About Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) – One Industry, One Voice
Celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2015, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the unified voice and leading authority of the global cruise community. As the largest cruise industry trade association with 15 offices globally, CLIA has representation in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. CLIA's mission is to support policies and practices that foster a safe, secure, healthy and sustainable cruise ship environment for the more than 22 million passengers who cruise annually, as well as promote the cruise travel experience. Members are committed to the sustained success of the cruise industry and are comprised of the world's most prestigious ocean, river and specialty cruise lines; a highly trained and certified travel agent community; and other cruise industry partners, including ports, destinations, ship developers, suppliers, business services and travel operators. For more information, visit www.cruising.org or follow Cruise Lines International Association on the CLIA Facebook and Twitter fan pages.

[1] Total economic contributions include direct, indirect and induced impacts. This includes direct spending by cruise lines and passengers, including food and beverages, fuel, financial and business services and entertainment in support of cruise operations, as well as the goods and services purchased by the directly impacted businesses and employees from other B2B and B2C enterprises.

[2] Total economic contributions include direct, indirect and induced impacts. This includes direct spending by cruise lines and passengers, including food and beverages, fuel, financial and business services and entertainment in support of cruise operations, as well as the goods and services purchased by the directly impacted businesses and employees from other B2B and B2C enterprises.

SOURCE Cruise Lines International Association

Related Links

http://www.cruising.org