By Alessandro Santi
In recent years, I’ve argued consistently that Italy’s cruise sector should be discussed for what it truly is: a complex tourism and industrial supply chain, anchored in our communities and generating value far beyond the moment a guest steps ashore. The latest figures released by CLIA give us a solid, objective basis to bring the conversation back to facts.
In 2024, cruising generated a total economic impact of €18.1 billion in Italy—equivalent to 28% of the sector’s total value in Europe and comparable in scale to both Italian automotive exports and the Italian wine industry. No other European country comes close: Italy’s cruise impact is nearly double that of Spain, the second largest market, and represents a 23% increase compared with 2023.
As a nation Italy should be proud of this success story. In an era when economic growth is not automatic, I take great pride in seeing this industry thrive and the knock-on effects for communities across the country.
What makes Italy especially distinctive is not only the overall headline number, but the shape of the impact. This new data notes that Italy is the only major European market where all four key spending channels generate significant and widespread effects: shipbuilding, cruise line purchases, passenger and crew spending in destinations, and wages paid to staff who live in Italy. In 2024, the direct output alone amounted to €8.4 billion, broken down into €3.4 billion in shipyard investment, €2.9 billion in direct purchases by cruise lines, €1.7 billion in passenger and crew spending in destinations, and €400 million in wages for Italy-resident personnel.
I know these large figures can feel abstract, but when I speak about these figures, I am really speaking about people and places I know. Behind the €1.7 billion in passenger and crew spending, which equates to €4.65 million every single day of the year, I remember the streets in our port cities coming to life: cafés opening their doors at dawn, local guides getting ready to meet new people, drivers, shopkeepers and artisans whose work gives each destination its soul. And when I think about the €400 million in wages paid to people who live in Italy, I think about families who can plan for the future, young people who can stay in their hometowns, and skilled workers who take pride in being part of a wider maritime community. We can think about numbers here, but we should focus on the people and communities who not only survive but thrive because of cruise tourism.
Recognising the real value of cruising does not mean ignoring challenges. It means tackling them responsibly, with data, transparency, and shared solutions, so Italy can keep building a model of cruise tourism that is balanced, sustainable, and genuinely beneficial for the country. If you agree and if you’re one of those people benefitting from the cruise industry, we want to hear your story. Click here to have your say.