Thoughtful engagement between cruise lines and communities ensures cruise tourism enhances the lives and livelihoods of people around the world. The local, authentic character of our port cities are being preserved – demonstrating responsiveness to community needs – and visitors from around the world are being treated to first-class experiences that honor the cultural, economic, and environmental fabric of our communities.

• Collaboration leads to smoother operations, stronger trust, and better long-term outcomes. Local businesses and residents engaged in dialogue on responsible tourism management in port destinations around the world have higher satisfaction from both guests and residents.
• Destinations that open dialogue with community groups to proactively coordinate visitor services can see improved crowd dispersion, higher spending per visitor, and better feedback from both guests and residents.
• Sharing history, traditions, and local culture creates lasting bonds with guests from around the world—forming meaningful connections that inspire future visits and genuine understanding.

Cruise tourism supports jobs, partners, and small businesses that power local life. When communities have a voice in how tourism is optimized, more people benefit—season after season. Support local businesses and policies that sustain income and opportunity.

Cruise lines are supporting our communities to preserve the places we love. Cruise tourism takes place in some of the world’s most treasured settings. From coastlines to coral, we know what is worth protecting. Across many destinations, there is an ongoing collaboration between local communities, port authorities, and cruise lines to uphold environmental standards and support conservation efforts where ships call.

• The cruise industry has announced it is on a journey toward carbon neutrality and more sustainable standards to help keep our planet healthy.
• Based on published reports, more than 70 percent of new cruise ships on order will be powered by cleaner fuels like LNG or equipped with shore power systems—allowing ships to turn off engines in port and significantly reduce emissions.
• Cleanups and conservation programs supported by the cruise industry are actively restoring beaches, reefs, and shoreline ecosystems.

Cruise lines are actively educating guests to respect local cultures by encouraging them to learn and adhere to social norms that honor the sanctity of special and treasured attractions.

In many communities, investments in ground transportation, signage, facilities, vehicle and pedestrian infrastructure are already improving the experience for both residents and cruise guests. With strong local input and smart coordination, these solutions can be adopted more widely. Join in the conversation to implement solutions, like improving the flow of foot traffic, visitor capacity, and planning.

• Every 1,000 cruise passengers support more than 40 local jobs across the economy – from hospitality and retail to agriculture, construction, and transportation.
• Cruise tourism supports over 1 million jobs worldwide and contributes hundreds of billions of dollars in economic output across port regions and supply chains. It is a valuable industry and one we are fortunate to have in our community.
• Research shows that more than 60 percent of cruise passengers return to destinations they first visited on a cruise—often seeking out the same businesses they discovered during their initial stop.
• Cruise tourism creates low-barrier opportunities for local entrepreneurs and can provide a reliable stream of income—even during shoulder and off-seasons when other travel markets slow down.
• From local shops and restaurants to artisans and tour operators, small businesses are the first, and most frequent, beneficiaries of passenger spending.

Cruise tourism is sometimes discussed narrowly or misunderstood. By providing independent data, amplifying local voices, dispelling misconceptions, and fostering a collaborative dialogue, communities can take part in informed, practical conversations. By connecting neighbors to make cruise tourism a better fit for residents and businesses alike, Welcome Ashore has become a platform for community-led discussions.

• Informed communities are resilient communities. When residents understand the real economic and environmental impacts of cruise tourism, public support increases, and engagement becomes more constructive and collaborative.
• Disappointingly, agendas are too often presented as facts. When we are armed with data and united as neighbors, we can set the record straight. Access tools that help counter misinformation and lead informed conversations.