Destination Stewardship
The cruise industry is a leader in responsible tourism and is committed to the highest standards of destination stewardship, supporting local economies and fostering respect for local populations, environments and cultures.
Cruise Tourism is Managed Tourism
It is carefully planned and scheduled well in advance, allowing CLIA and member cruise lines to collaborate closely with destinations to manage tourism effectively while preserving the economic benefits for local communities.
CLIA’s Commitment to Responsible Tourism
CLIA cruise lines are dedicated to responsible tourism practices, both on and off the ship, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the shoreside experience while minimizing the impact on local communities. The cruise industry strives to ensure that visitors feel welcome and comfortable in each destination they visit.
As global tourism has surged over the past decade, localized crowding has become a growing challenge for many cities and national governments, making it a top priority for CLIA cruise lines. In response, the industry has implemented effective strategies, such as staggered arrivals, diversified excursions, and the use of shoreside power, and continues to explore balanced approaches that respect local populations while supporting local economies.
Recognizing its responsibility to promote sustainable and respectful tourism, CLIA works closely with organizations like UNWTO, WTTC, and GSTC to help port cities analyze and address crowding issues. Member cruise lines carefully select excursions and activities, educate passengers on local customs, and encourage them to support local businesses.
Successful initiatives in locations such as Juneau, Alaska, and Dubrovnik, Croatia demonstrate how collaboration between the cruise industry and local governments can lead to sustainable tourism solutions that benefit both visitors and communities.
CLIA actively engages on key initiatives including:
- Partnerships with local authorities
- Collaborative agreements
- Community engagement
Diverse Solutions
Recognizing that there is no single overarching solution or approach that can be applied globally, CLIA cruise lines exercise the highest standards of responsible tourism in collaboration with destinations around the world.
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Dubrovnik
In Dubrovnik, Croatia, in collaboration with the mayor’s office and the City Council, CLIA signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to preserve and protect the cultural heritage of Dubrovnik and to help establish Dubrovnik as a model of sustainable tourism in the Adriatic region and beyond.
Travel Best Practices Management program (TBMP) in Juneau, Alaska
In Juneau, CLIA member cruise lines helped establish the Travel Best Practices Management program (TBMP) in 1997 in response to community concerns about growth in visitors to Juneau.
- Each year, members of the TBMP program review and discuss local concerns. Guidelines are then developed and implemented to protect the benefits of tourism while still addressing the concerns of local residents.
- TBMP has been regarded by local officials as a great success story and is frequently publicly acknowledged. The program also conducts public education in print and on radio.
Management System in Santorini, Greece
In Santorini, the cruise industry is working with local authorities to ensure the success of a new ship arrival management system that will spread the flow of tourists visiting the island.
CLIA’s Guiding Principles for Responsible Tourism
CLIA member cruise lines seek to be responsible partners to the communities where ships call, taking full account of current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts of our presence in destinations, addressing the needs of visitors, the travel and tourism industry, the environment, and host communities. To demonstrate these values, we aspire to uphold the following Guiding Principles for Responsible Tourism, which both reflect current practices and a commitment to progress.
