Antigua and Barbuda Sees Record $89 Million in Cruise Tourism Spending as Caribbean and Latin America Break Economic Records
Antigua and Barbuda contributed a record $89 million in direct cruise tourism expenditures during the 2023-2024 cruise year, part of a historic surge across 33 Caribbean and Latin American destinations. According to a new study by Business Research & Economic Advisors (BREA), commissioned by the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), the region as a whole saw $4.27 billion in total cruise tourism expenditures—a 27% increase over the last study in 2018.
The study, released during the 30th annual FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show in Philipsburg, St. Maarten, highlights that the economic impact of cruise tourism in Antigua and Barbuda was part of a broader trend, with over 94,000 jobs created throughout the region, contributing more than $1.27 billion in wage income.
Cruise passenger spending also saw substantial growth, with destinations welcoming 29.4 million onshore visits. In Antigua and Barbuda, passengers spent an average of $104.36 per visit, contributing to the $89 million in total spending. Crew visits added to the economic boost, with 3.9 million onshore visits across the region, generating $229.5 million.
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Key regional findings from the study include:
- $4.27 billion in direct cruise tourism expenditures across 33 destinations.
- 94,027 jobs supported by the industry, with $1.27 billion in wages.
- 13% increase in passenger and crew visits compared to the previous study.
- Average spend per passenger increased in 26 of 31 common destinations, with Antigua and Barbuda among the highest.
The FCCA praised these results, emphasizing the importance of cruise tourism in supporting local economies. Michele Paige, CEO of FCCA, remarked, “These findings reflect the growing success of cruise tourism, not just for the cruise lines but for the communities that benefit from this industry.”
The report also showed that while the direct benefits of cruise tourism were significant, additional economic advantages, such as supplies purchased by local tour operators and potential return visits from passengers as stay-over tourists, were not fully measured in this study.
For Antigua and Barbuda and other participating destinations, the study reinforces the critical role of cruise tourism in driving economic growth, employment, and investment. As the region continues to recover and build from the challenges of recent years, this surge in cruise activity marks a positive turn for tourism and local economies.
The full study and its detailed breakdown, including metrics such as passenger satisfaction and shore excursion preferences, can be found on the FCCA website.
FULL PRESS RELEASE BELOW:
Study Reveals Record Cruise Tourism Expenditures in the
Caribbean and Latin America
New study finds that cruise tourism and the 33.3 million passenger and crew onshore visits throughout 33 Caribbean and Latin American destinations directly generated a record $4.27 billion in total expenditures, along with more than 94,000 jobs paying more than $1.27 billion in wage income, during the last cruise year.
Philipsburg, St. Maarten (October 23, 2024) – Florida-Caribbean Association (FCCA), the trade group representing the mutual interests of the cruise industry and destinations and stakeholders in the Caribbean and Latin America, is proud to announce that the 2023-2024 cruise year brought record economic contributions to the region. According to the study released today by Business Research & Economic Advisors (BREA), Economic Contribution of Cruise Tourism to the Destination Economies, cruise tourism generated $4.27 billion in direct cruise tourism expenditures—about 27 percent higher than the record set by the previous study in 2018—along with over 94,000 jobs paying more than $1.27 billion in wage income in the 33 participating destinations.
“We could not be prouder of these results and what they mean for the lives and livelihoods of so many throughout the Caribbean and Latin America,” said Michele Paige, CEO, FCCA. “In addition to showing what cruise tourism brings to these destinations’ economies, many of the study’s findings will also serve as the foundation of building further mutual success between cruise lines and destination stakeholders.”
The study measured direct spending impacts through passenger surveys and crew surveys; cruise line spending for services and provisions; port revenues; and employment generated by cruise ship calls. Measurement of economic impacts was calculated by collecting data from local government agencies, regional development agencies and international economic agencies to evaluate impacts on employment, wages, port fees and taxes. Key findings include:
- Cruise tourism generated $4.27 billion in expenditures, up 27% compared to the last study in 2018 and the previous record.
- 94,027 jobs were supported by the industry, up 19% compared to the last study, paying a total employee wage income of $1.27 billion.
- Destinations welcomed 29.4 million onshore visits from cruise passengers, with an average spend of $104.36, generating a total of $3.07 billion.
- Destinations also welcomed 3.9 million onshore visits from crew, with an average spend of $58.78, generating a total of $229.5 million.
- Cruise lines spent $968.3 million, an average of $29.3 million per destination.
- The 33.3 million passenger and crew visits represent a 13% increase compared to the previous study, and the 31 common destinations in the 2018 and 2024 studies experienced a 17% increase in passenger visits.
- Average per passenger spend increased for 26 of the 31 common destinations, and 14 destinations recorded average spend rates above $100 per passenger (up from 12 in 2018).
- On average, a single transit cruise call with 4,000 passengers and 1,640 crew generates $369,100 in passenger and crew spending alone: $339,800 and $29,300, respectively.
The study’s measure of cruise tourism expenditures did not include indirect benefits of cruise tourism, including supplies purchased by tour operators, restaurants and port authorities, though the estimates of these expenditures served as the basis for total employment and wage impacts. The study also did not account for other indirect benefits, such as spending from cruise passengers who return as stay-over guests; nor did the study measure other methods of cruise line spending that benefit destinations, including NGO partnerships and marketing.
The study—which is engaged by the FCCA in partnership with its destination partners as one of many ways to foster the understanding of cruise tourism, its benefits and how to best actualize its potential—was released at the 30th annual FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show in St. Maarten, further adding to the event’s focus on maximizing mutual success for all throughout cruise tourism through a series of meetings, workshops and networking opportunities between destination stakeholders and cruise executives to offer insight and develop business and relationships.
The full study; its Volume II focusing on both the specific spending within the destinations, along with metrics including passenger satisfaction, time spent ashore and types of shore excursions; and similar studies dating back to 2001 are available at www.F-CCA.com/Research.
33 Participating Destinations with Total Cruise Tourism Expenditures (in $US Millions)
Antigua & Barbuda ($89.0); Aruba ($133.2); The Bahamas ($654.8); Barbados ($83.5); Belize ($88.6); Bonaire ($33.4); British Virgin Islands ($85.7); Cayman Islands ($161.5); Colombia ($49.9); Costa Maya, Mexico ($187.9); Costa Rica ($32.2); Cozumel, Mexico ($483.1); Curacao ($93.3); Dominica ($20.9), Dominican Republic ($251.4); Ensenada, Mexico ($74.9); Grenada ($22.4); Guadeloupe ($46.1); Honduras ($180.4); Jamaica ($197.8); Key West ($55.4); Martinique ($42.2); Mazatlán, Mexico ($34.1); Panama ($114.0); Progreso, Mexico ($25.8); Puerto Rico ($201.9); St. Kitts & Nevis ($113.1); St. Lucia ($72.7); St. Maarten ($237.8); St. Vincent ($19.3); Trinidad ($5.4); Turks and Caicos ($116.1); and the United States Virgin Islands ($258.1).
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