54 INTERVIEW With interest in cruise holidays reaching new heights and ship orders on the rise, the global cruise industry is entering a period of renewed energy and opportunity. At the same time, growing demand for sustainable travel, immersive itineraries and innovative onboard experiences are reshaping what passengers expect from their time at sea. Against this backdrop, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) released its 2025 State of the Cruise Industry report, offering a snapshot of key trends and progress. We caught up with Bud Darr, president and CEO of CLIA, to explore the findings in more detail. One of the most striking statistics in this year’s State of the Cruise Industry report is that 31 per cent of cruise passengers in the past two years are new to cruise. What are cruise lines doing differently to capture these firsttime travellers – and what will keep them coming back? Ongoing innovation in the industry, plus broader awareness of cruising, is attracting new guests onboard. Brands are raising the bar on ships with exciting attractions, world-class entertainment and incredible culinary offerings. Cruisers cite the ability to visit multiple destinations and value for the money among top reasons they love to cruise. Plus, there is a cruise for every traveller – from expedition to luxury, river and ocean-going vessels. We’ve also seen particularly strong interest in cruise from the younger generations, where intent to cruise for the first time or repeat is higher than ever – 83 per cent of millennials and 76 per cent of Gen Z cruisers plan to cruise again. These generations prioritise unique experiences, which cruise vacations deliver. Cruise tourism represents just two per cent of global tourism, yet it generates more than $168 billion in economic impact and supports 1.6 million jobs. How does CLIA work to ensure this impact is both sustainable and beneficial to the destinations its members visit? In many communities around the world, cruise is an essential contributor to the local economy. Unlike other forms of travel, cruise is predictable, with port calls scheduled years in advance. This means the community can plan ahead and local businesses can count on the economic benefits cruise brings. The industry works closely with destinations and community Growth on a global scale CLIA’s Bud Darr briefs Alice Chambers on key updates in the cruise industry In July, CLIA, Seatrade Cruise and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association extended their partnership with a new 10-year agreement aimed at fostering innovation and growth across the global cruise industry
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