[Infography] Where the sea takes us

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) report offers a look at the cruise industry’s global economic impact as well as the trends impacting cruise travel in 2018.

Current data shows cruise travel is on the rise with a projected 27.2 million passengers expected in 2018. In 2017, an estimated 25.8 million passengers cruised compared to a confirmed 24.7 million passengers in 2016, an increase of 20.5 percent over five years from 2011-2016.

“It is without question that the cruise industry continues on a growth trajectory, gaining in consumer interest and creating a positive impact on the global economy,” said Cindy D’Aoust, president and CEO, CLIA.

Cruise industry expenditures generated $126 billion in total output worldwide, supporting more than one million full-time equivalent employees who earned $41 billion in income, an increase from previous years.

“It is without question that the cruise industry continues on a growth trajectory, gaining in consumer interest and creating a positive impact on the global economy,” said Cindy D’Aoust, president and CEO, CLIA.

Cruise industry expenditures generated $126 billion in total output worldwide, supporting more than one million full-time equivalent employees who earned $41 billion in income, an increase from previous years.

As part of the report, CLIA has forecasted the top nine cruise travel trends for the coming year:

1. All Budgets Will Cruise
2. Transformational Cruise Travel
3. Sustainability at Sea
4. Millennials Take to the River
5. Skip-Gen Cruising
6. Travelers Warm to Chilly Destinations
7. Healthy Doses
8. Smart Travel Technology
9. Tapping Travel Agents