Cruise Industry Contributes €3.1 Billion to Greek Economy

·         The industry generated a total economic output of €3.1 billion, contributed €1.5 billion to the Greek GDP and supported 33,000 jobs in the country.

·        Passenger and crew spending drove cruise sector’s economic impact in Greece followed by cruise line purchases and wages for staff residing Greece, along with ship- and capacity-building activities.

·         Industry reports year-on-year increase in employment with 10,000 jobs added in one year.

Athens, 30 March 2026 — The economic impact of the cruise industry in Greece reached record levels in 2024, confirming its role as a strong pillar of the national economy. According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) latest Economic Impact Report for the year 2024, conducted by Oxford Economics, the industry generated €3.1 billion in total economic output and contributed €1.5 billion to Greece’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

This marks significant year-on-year growth. “The economic contribution of cruising in Greece has almost tripled in only three years, reaching €3.1 billion in 2024 from €1.4 billion in 2022 and €2 billion in 2023”, said Maria Deligianni, Regional Director, Eastern Mediterranean, CLIA.

The industry’s contribution to GDP increased almost by 50%, rising to €1.5 billion in 2024, from €973 million in 2023.

Employment also saw a substantial increase, with total jobs support rising from 22,600 in 2023 to 33,000 in 2024, an addition of more than 10,000 jobs within a single year, including direct, indirect, and induced employment. In more detail, jobs generated by the cruise industry in Greece comprise 17,000 expenditure-linked roles (direct), 1,000 within cruise lines (direct), 10,000 indirect positions, and 5,000 induced jobs.

The cruise ecosystem creates jobs across a wide range of sectors including local businesses, tour operators, travel agencies, port authorities and terminals, port agents, shipbuilding and ship maintenance and suppliers.[1]

Four key activities are associated with the cruise industry’s positive impact on Greece’s economy: passenger and crew spending in port destinations, cruise line purchases, wage-linked spending of cruise industry staff residing in Greece, and ship- and capacity-building. Passenger and crew spending was the largest contributor to GDP, accounting for €915 million, which represented 59% of the industry’s total GDP impact in Greece. This was followed by cruise line purchases which made a €586 million contribution to GDP. Meanwhile, cruise line staff wages and ship- and capacity-building contributed €25 million and €24 million to GDP, respectively.

Athens/Piraeus, the region’s busiest port, attracted 1.7 million passenger visits the same year, which included substantial embarkation activity, ranked as the 13th biggest embarkation port globally.

Maria Deligianni added: “Beyond any numbers, our focus is foremost on long-term, responsible growth that benefits both visitors and communities, ensuring cruising remains a positive force for Greece’s future. We remain committed to working closely with government authorities and local communities to promote a model of balanced tourism; one that ensures sustainability, protects our unique natural and cultural heritage, and respects the quality of life of local residents”, she highlighted.

Across Europe, the cruise sector continued its strong upward trajectory, generating €64.1 billion in total economic output and contributing €28.3 billion to European GDP. Also, the jobs created reached 445.000, while €16.4 billion were generated in wages. Despite ongoing cost pressures affecting both consumers and travel providers, the industry maintained strong economic activity in 2024, supported by exceptionally high passenger demand.

Globally, cruise activity remained strong, generating a total economic output of $198.8 and contributing $98.5 billion to global gross domestic product (GDP). $1.8 million jobs were generated worldwide and $60.1 billion were generated in wages.

Key Terms:

·         Direct Impact: Direct purchases made by passengers, crew and cruise lines

·         Indirect Impact: Restaurants, hotels, purchased goods and services to support cruises. Payments merchants make to their suppliers to provide services to passengers, crew and cruise lines. Hotels, restaurants, service providers also pay wages to laborers, and staff.

·         Induced Impact: The employees of the cruise lines and their suppliers generate additional economic benefits through their purchases of consumer goods and services including such goods as autos, food, clothing, furniture, health care and so forth.

CLIA_Europe_2024_Economic Impact Report

About the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the preeminent cruise trade association, providing a unified voice for the industry and its members as the leading authority of the global cruise community. CLIA represents oceangoing member lines which comprise more than 90% of global cruise passenger capacity, including the world’s most prestigious ocean, river, and specialty cruise lines, as well as a business community of leading ports, destinations, shipyards and maritime product and service providers, and the largest network of travel professionals who specialise in cruise travel. Together with its members and partners, CLIA supports policies and practices that foster safe, secure, healthy and sustainable cruise operations; tourism strategies that maximise the socioeconomic benefits of cruise travel; and technologies and innovations designed to support the industry’s pursuit of net zero emissions by 2050. The organization’s global headquarters are in Washington, DC, with regional offices located in North and South America, Europe, and Australasia.