The cruise industry has surpassed 2015 ocean cruise passenger projections and has increased passenger expectations for 2016 — a sign the industry is stronger than ever, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) announced at the 2016 Cruise360 Conference in Vancouver.
The industry reported a total of 23.2 million passengers on ocean cruises globally in 2015, up from a projection of the 23 million, and a 4-percent increase over 2014.
As a result of steady year-over-year increases, CLIA has modified 2016 expectations and is now predicting 24.2 million travelers will set sail on ocean cruises around the world.
“The success in 2015 demonstrates the cruise industry’s continued strength in the overall travel sector, ” said Cindy D’Aoust, president and CEO, CLIA .
“This is a direct result of the amazing work and commitment of our community of cruise lines, executive partners and travel agencies and agents . Plus, with the highest satisfaction rates among all leisure travel segments, it reflects that a cruise vacation is the vacation of choice for travelers around the world.”
According to CLIA’s findings, much of the industry’s growth can be attributed to emerging regions of the world.
In 2015, Asia experienced the most growth year over year in ocean cruise passengers recording a 24 percent increase from 2014 to 2015, with a total of more than 2 million ocean cruise passengers in 2015. Australia is not far behind, as the region, which includes Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, experienced a 14-percent increase in ocean cruise passengers from 2014 to 2015. Last year, a total of more than 1.1 million ocean cruise travelers originated in Australia.