Cruise association CLIA has released its latest outlook report, highlighting that by August 2022 almost 100 per cent of its ocean cruise line members will be back in operation.

The 2022 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook report demonstrates “how the industry has continued to resume responsibly with proven protocols [and] underscores the value of cruise tourism to local communities and national economies around the world”.

Nearly 80 per cent of travellers who have cruised before say they will cruise again – the same percentage as before the pandemic, the report added.

There is also a strong focus on sustainability, with the association stating that by 2027, its ocean-going cruise line member fleet “will reflect significant advancements in the cruise industry’s pursuit of a cleaner, more efficient future”.

Included in this are 26 new LNG-powered ships; 81 per cent of global capacity fitted with advanced wastewater treatment systems, and 174 cruise ships with shoreside power connectivity.

A total of 16 new ocean cruise ships are scheduled to launch in 2022, including five LNG-powered vessels and nine expedition ships.

Economic impact on cruise

While there are positives, the report highlights the economic impact of the pandemic.

In 2020, there were 5.8 million passenger embarkations (down 81 per cent on 2019 levels); 576,000 cruise-supported jobs, a reduction of 51 per cent, and $63.4 billion in total economic contribution, down 59 per cent against 2019.

CLIA CEO Kelly Craighead said: “The 2022 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook report provides an opportunity to reflect on how far our industry has come as CLIA ocean-going cruise lines have welcomed more than six million guests on board since resuming operations in July 2020.

“While our focus on health and safety remains absolute, our industry is also leading the way in environmental sustainability and destination stewardship.

“Coastal and maritime tourism is an important economic driver, and we continue to work in partnership with cruise destinations so that communities thrive from responsible tourism.

“Our members are also investing in new technologies and new ships and pursuing the goal of net carbon neutral cruising by 2050.”

The full report is available on the official CLIA website.