About the Industry
Plenty of room for growth
Accounting for only 2% of the travel and tourism sector, and with intent to cruise higher than it was in
2019, the cruise industry has plenty of room for growth.
Strong and resilient | Passenger Volume
With consistent and steady growth over the past 50 years, the cruise sector has demonstrated more
resilience than other sectors—rebounding faster following downturns.
- Cruise travel reached 107% of 2019 levels in 2023—with 31.7 million passengers sailing.
- This compares to overall international tourism arrivals, which are 12% lower than 2019.
- For 2024, our forecast globally is for 34.1 million passengers, and 2025 36.4 million passengers
(115% and 123% of 2019 volume, respectively).
- For context, these levels compare to the initial forecast by UN Tourism, which estimates 2024
international tourism arrivals pointing to 2% growth above 2019 levels.
- By 2027, cruise is forecast to grow to nearly 40 million passengers
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Pursuing Net Zero Emissions by 2050
Cruise lines are actively pursuing net zero emissions by 2050, consistent with the International Maritime
Organization’s (IMO) 2023 Strategy on Reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from Ships.
- Reducing emissions at berth and at sea (technologies, infrastructure and operational
efficiencies)
- Investing in new ships and engines that allow for fuel flexibility to use low- to zero-GHG
fuels, once available at scale
- Conducting multiple trials and pilot programs to test sustainable fuels and technologies.
- Employing a range of environmental technologies and practices to advance sustainability
initiatives
Each year the fleet becomes more efficient—as cruise lines embrace new technologies, innovations
and, as available, the uptake of alternative fuels.
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Other Environmental Technologies & Practices
CLIA cruise line members have committed to not discharging
untreated sewage anywhere in the world during normal operations.
Cruise lines also utilize AWTS, which operate to a higher standard than
shoreside treatment plants in many coastal cities and go well beyond
international requirements.
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Destination Stewardship
Cruise tourism is responsible and managed tourism
Cruise tourism is responsible and managed tourism
- Cruise tourism is responsible and managed tourism. It is planned and scheduled well in advance,
so it
provides a lot of opportunities to work with local communities.
- Sustainable tourism means being good partners with our destinations and local communities.
There are multiple case studies showing the benefits of positive engagement.
- In February 2022, cruise lines operating in the Balearics signed a manifesto on sustainable
cruise
tourism in the port of Palma. In 2023, cruise lines and the French Government signed a Charter
of
Sustainable Cruising in the French Mediterranean.
- More recently CLIA embarked on partnerships in locations such as Corfu and Heraklion in Greece,
working with local authorities to jointly fund tourism management assessments in partnership
with the
Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Projects like these provide a framework for the
future
management of tourism, so everyone can benefit.
- More recently CLIA embarked on partnerships in locations such as Corfu and Heraklion in Greece,
working with local authorities to jointly fund tourism management assessments in partnership
with the
Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Projects like these provide a framework for the
future
management of tourism, so everyone can benefit.
- These initiatives provide a framework for the future management of tourism, to ensure we
continue to
growth and develop in ways that benefit the communities we visit.
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