CLIA projects 32m people globally will cruise in 2020

CLIA’s member lines are scheduled to debut 19 new ocean ships in the coming year, for a total of 278 ships projected to be in operation by the association's lines at the end of 2020.

(Seatrade’s Orderbook, which includes CLIA and non-CLIA lines, tallies 23 oceangoing newbuilds entering service in 2020.)

Sustainability focus

CLIA’s ‘2020 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook’ also foresees an industry-wide commitment to responsible tourism practices, with a focus on environmental sustainability and destination stewardship.

The CLIA report highlights the industry’s $22bn investment in the development of new energy efficient technologies, partnerships with local governments in key destinations and a commitment to reducing cruising’s rate of carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 compared to 2008.

‘While demand for cruising has reached new heights, the cruise industry is accelerating our efforts to be a leader in responsible tourism,’ CLIA President and CEO Kelly Craighead said. ‘Our members are at the forefront of best practices designed to protect the sanctity of the destinations we visit and enhance the experiences of travelers and residents alike.’

2020 trends

CLIA’s most recent ‘Environmental Technologies and Practice Report’ shows progress on many fronts. The association said 44% of member lines’ newbuild capacity will rely on LNG fuel for primary propulsion. When it comes to exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers), 68% of global capacity currently has these, while 75% of non-LNG newbuilds will employ them.

A full 100% of CLIA member line ocean newbuilds will have advanced wastewater treatment systems.

Eighty-eight percent of newbuild capacity will have or will be configured to add shoreside power.

Additional areas of focus include battery power, advanced recycling practices, reduced plastic use, energy-efficient lighting and solar energy.

The study found that more than eight of 10 cruisers recycle (82%) and are reducing their use of single-use plastics (80%) while traveling. Seven of 10 cruisers forego plastic straws.

Destination stewardship

When it comes to destination stewardship, the cruise industry is exploring new and creative ways to manage the flow of visitors and implement responsible tourism. This will be carried out through partnerships with local governments, staggered ship arrivals and departures, diversification of excursions, use of shore power and more.

The 'State of the Cruise Industry Outlook’ found more travelers spending time in and near cruise ports in connection with their seagoing holiday. In fact, 65% of passengers spend extra days at embarkation or debarkation ports.

Economic impact

The report also recaps that in 2018, cruising sustained 1,177,000 jobs equaling $50.24bn in wages and salaries and $150bn total output worldwide.

According to the ‘CLIA 2018 Global Economic Impact Analysis,’ passengers spent $376 in port cities before boarding a cruise and $101 in each transit destination. North America accounts for the highest rate of cruisers with 14.2m North Americans cruising in 2018.

‘The industry’s economic impact is a big part of the story, especially as it relates to our passengers’ contributions to local economies and the diverse workforce on board our ships,’ Craighead said. ‘We recognize that with growth comes increased responsibility to raise the bar in all aspects of what we do to ensure cruising remains a force for good and the best way to experience the world.’