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CLIA 2021 cruise outlook report highlights ‘resilience and optimism’

CLIA, 2023 Sustainability report

The CLIA 2021 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook report has found that despite current challenges, two out of three cruisers are willing to cruise within a year.

The findings also stated that 58 per cent of international travellers who have never cruised are likely to do so in the next few years.

CLIA’s latest report comes after a “year unlike any other”, said the association’s chairman Adam Goldstein, as the industry continues to deal with global travel restrictions and suspensions to sailings.

The report said: “In 2020, every one per cent loss of cruisers resulted in a reduction of 9,100 industry-related jobs. Each day of the suspension caused direct and indirect industry losses of 2,500 jobs.”

However, the report added that from early July through to mid-December 2020, there were more than 200 sailings, “with multiple layers of enhanced measures in place”.

It added: “The success of these initial sailings demonstrates new protocols are working as designed – to mitigate the risk of Covid-19 among passengers, crew and the destinations cruise ships visit.”

Looking ahead to 2021, CLIA cruise line members are expected to welcome 19 new ocean ships next year, resulting in a total of 270 CLIA member ocean vessels in operation by the end of 2021.

Sustainability efforts are also included in report. It said: “The industry [has] also remained focused on its commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable future.

“The report highlights the industry’s $23.5 billion investment in ships with new technologies and cleaner fuels to reduce carbon emissions, partnerships with local governments in key destinations, and a commitment to reducing its rate of carbon emissions by 40 per cent by 2030 compared to 2008.”

CLIA president and CEO Kelly Craighead said: “For the cruise community, there is no denying that 2020 was not the year we anticipated. Still, the industry wasted no time adjusting course to address the challenges before us.

“With the year drawing to a close, we are pleased to share CLIA’s 2021 report that highlights the extraordinary steps that the cruise community took to develop and implement enhanced public health protocols to keep putting people first, while continuing to focus on innovation and responsible tourism practices that make cruising the best way to experience the world.”

Goldstein added: “2020 was a year unlike any other and I am proud of how our industry has united together to weather this unparalleled pandemic.

“As we look to 2021, I know that cruisers are eager to set sail once more, just as our industry is eager to put people back to work and create unforgettable experiences for our valued guests.”

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