The cruise industry is evolving into a major economic driver for the European economy, generating 64.1 billion euros in economic output in 2024 and supporting 445,000 jobs.
The growing importance of the sector was highlighted during the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) European Summit, held this week in Madeira.
According to CLIA’s latest Economic Impact Study, 28 billion euros of the total contribution was generated directly for European GDP. Overall economic impact rose by nearly 16% compared with 2023, reflecting growing demand for cruise travel throughout Europe.
At the same time, the impact of cruise tourism goes beyond passenger activity, supporting European industry that includes shipbuilding, advanced manufacturing, port services, and a wide network of local suppliers.
In 2024, direct cruise-related spending reached 31 billion euros. This included 14 billion euros in goods and services sourced from European suppliers and 10 billion euros invested in shipbuilding.
“These numbers demonstrate that cruise tourism is an integral part of Europe’s maritime economy, delivering meaningful value across the continent,” said Bud Darr, President and CEO of CLIA.
Darr emphasized that cruise activity supports thousands of European enterprises, ranging from shipyards and equipment manufacturers to ports, logistics providers, hospitality operators and small and medium-sized businesses. He added that the sector also contributes to more balanced tourism flows and strengthens Europe’s global competitiveness.
Cruise tourism also delivers direct economic benefits to the destinations where ships call, providing a reliable source of revenue for coastal, island and regional economies.
Highlighting the importance of cruise activity for island communities and maritime regions, Nikos Mertzanidis, Executive Director of CLIA in Europe, noted that cruise revenues are channelled straight into local destinations, generating long-term economic benefits and recurring income for communities.
Cruise Levy in Greecce
Meanwhile, several destinations, including Greece, are reassessing how cruise tourism is managed. In 2024, Greece introduced a cruise passenger levy payable upon disembarkation. Fees vary by port and season, with higher charges applied at heavily visited island destinations such as Mykonos and Santorini.
Commenting on the impact of levies, Darr said the cruise industry’s acceptance of government-imposed fees depends largely on how the revenue is used. Charges tied to specific services or infrastructure projects that enhance the passenger experience or support cruise operations are generally viewed positively. However, when such fees function primarily as a tax, often framed as environmental or operational without reinvestment in destinations or the industry, they raise costs without delivering meaningful benefits for sustainability or effective tourism management.
