Cruise industry delivered $4.6b output and 19,000 jobs, CLIA says

Singapore remained as the region’s top cruise centre.

The cruise industry generated $4.6b (US$3.6b) in total output and supported around 19,000 jobs in Singapore in 2024, according to the CLIA Southeast Asia 2024 Final Report.

The report, released in April 2026, stated that Singapore remained the leading cruise centre in Southeast Asia, accounting for almost half of all passenger visits in the region, adding that 2024 marked a transitional phase for the country, ahead of a planned rise in cruise activity in the coming years.

It noted that growth momentum is expected to be supported by a large new vessel scheduled to homeport in Singapore in early 2026.

Cruises departing from Singapore are currently dominated by the contemporary segment, benefiting regional ports in Malaysia and Thailand.

On economic impact, cruise-related activity in Singapore generated $4.6b (US$3.6b) in total output in 2024. Of this, $2.42b ($1.9b) was generated directly, whilst $2.16b (US$1.7b) came from indirect and induced effects.

Cruise-related GDP impact stood at $1.78b (US$1.4b), with $889.8m (US$700m) generated in both direct and indirect and induced effects.

The report identified four main drivers of cruise economic impact in Singapore, namely passenger and crew spending, cruise line purchases, ship- and capacity-building, and wage-linked spending.

Passenger and crew spending contributed $762.68m (US$600m) to GDP, or 45% of the total impact. Cruise line purchases contributed $508.45m (US$400m), whilst ship- and capacity-building accounted for around $381.34m (US$300m). Cruise line staff wages contributed about $82.62m (US$65m).

In employment terms, cruise line activity, including ship crew and head office staff, supported nearly 4,000 jobs in Singapore, or 19% of total cruise-related employment impact. A further 16,000 jobs were supported through wider economic effects.

The report added that passenger and crew spending accounted for 45% of total cruise-related jobs, making it the largest contributor within the sector.

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