New data released by CLIA has revealed that more than 5,000 UK jobs could be at risk from the extended suspension of sailings due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

For every 1 per cent drop in cruising in the UK, up to 530 jobs can be lost. Each day of the suspension results in the loss of 55 direct jobs and 139 total jobs in the UK.

For a 60-day suspension, the anticipated impact for the UK is:

• Direct economic loss of £539 million, 3,350 jobs, and £174 million in wages
• Total economic loss of £1.43 billion, 8,359 jobs, and £454 million in wages

For a 90-day suspension, the anticipated impact for the UK is:

• Direct economic loss of £888 million, 5,525 jobs, and £287million in wages
• Total economic loss of £2.37 billion, 13,788 jobs, and £746 million in wages

A fifth of the 435,000 people employed in businesses supported by the cruise industry across Europe are based in the UK. As well as cruise line employees, the industry supports an extensive and diverse supply chain.

This includes travel agencies, hotels, local transport operators, and port agents, as well as catering companies, including many small and family-run businesses providing specialist food produce.

Across the UK, the industry supports 40,517 direct jobs paying £1.35 billion in wages, and 88,519 total jobs paying £3.05 billion in wages.

Director of CLIA UK and Ireland, Andy Harmer, said: “The cruise industry generates £10 billion for the UK economy each year.

“We understand the significant impact, therefore, that our decision to suspend operations has on the livelihoods of people who work in our sector, and on businesses that rely on the cruise industry in all parts of the country.

“Unfortunately, our research shows that for a 60-day suspension we can anticipate a loss of more than 3000 UK jobs and an economic cost of £539 million to the UK.”

Harmer continued: “Choosing to suspend operations was the right thing to do, and we know the cruise industry is resilient. We have put public health at the heart of our response, and we will continue to respect the guidance from international and national health authorities.

“We are using this time to enhance further our protocols that we will all benefit from, and we look forward to playing our part in the recovery when the time comes for society to travel once more.”

Visit cruising.org for more information.