The cruise industry continues to play its part in helping Europe’s economy emerge from the economic downturn by delivering another strong year of growth in 2013. Figures released today by CLIA Europe have revealed that the cruise industry’s economic output in Europe reached £31.6bn in 2013, an all-time high, up from £30.4bn in 2012.The direct expenditures generated by the industry reached £13bn, up from £12.4bn in 2012. In terms of employment generation, in 2013 the cruise industry accounted for 339,417 jobs. Three major factors largely account for the cruise industry’s strong year-on-year growth: an increase in European sourced passengers; a surge in the number of cruise passengers embarking from European ports; and European shipyards’ continued dominance of the global cruise ship-building business. According to CLIA Europe’s 2014 Economic Contribution Report, an estimated 6.4 million European residents booked a cruise holiday in 2013, representing a 3.6% increase over 2012 and accounting for 30% of all cruise passengers worldwide. Europe is also a major destination for cruise passengers and ships from around the world, attracting substantial tourism investment and spending. Thus the number of passengers embarking on their cruises from European ports reached 6 million in 2013, i.e. a 5.2% increase over 2012. Around 5 million of these were European nationals, with the remaining 1 million coming from third countries. European shipyards, which build most of the world’s state-of-the-art cruise liners, enjoyed a 4.7% increase in their revenue. In 2013, cruise lines spent £3.23bn on new builds and refurbishments in Europe,the second annual increase following a period of retrenchment. Currently, including deliveries scheduled for the first half of 2014, European shipyards are under contract to build 24 cruise ships with a combined value of £9.7bn euros through to 2017. Pierfrancesco Vago, CLIA Europe’s Chairman, said, “The positive results achieved this year reaffirm Europe’s position as a dynamic hub at the core of the global cruise industry, being the second most important market worldwide. 'The cruise industry keeps generating great economic benefits for Europe during this crucial period of recovery, producing much-needed employment for European citizens as well asnew business for its industries and revenue for its states.” Robert Ashdown, CLIA Europe’s Secretary General, said, “Despite the difficult economic circumstances of 2013, over 6 million Europeans enjoyed cruising last year, more than double the number of a decade ago. 'Cruising also helps increase the number of tourists visiting Europe, with one million third-country nationals embarking on a cruise from a European port in 2013, as well as continuing to ensure Europe remains the global leader for cruise ship-building, with 24 new cruise ships scheduled for delivery by 2017. 'Beyond these hard economic facts, it is important to remember that cruising remains one of the safest, most affordable and memorable vacation experiences available today.” (source: CLIA)