According to the annual report of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), released this Monday, 80,000 Portuguese nationals embarked on cruise trips last year, an increase driven by the high loyalty rate and the diversification of itineraries.

The economic impact of this industry in the country reached €940 million, contributing directly €410 million to the GDP and maintaining 9,800 jobs.

According to CLIA data, the largest share of this contribution comes from direct purchases made by cruise companies from suppliers in Portugal, totalling €174 million, plus €150 million from passenger and crew spending in local businesses.

Regarding the profile of the Portuguese traveller, the average age is 48, with a marked preference for eight-day cruises. The Mediterranean remains the preferred destination, followed by the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Bermuda.

Nikos Mertzanidis, Executive Director of CLIA Europe, emphasises that this "predictable and highly organised" tourism model has a multiplier effect on local economies, noting that about 60% of passengers return independently to the destinations they visited for the first time during a stopover.

At the European level, the sector is preparing an unprecedented investment cycle to meet new environmental demands.

Currently, 57% of ships under construction are equipped with multifuel engines, part of a plan to integrate more than 60 new vessels into the global fleet by 2037.

For 2026, the entry into service of eight new ships is planned, representing an immediate investment of $6.6 billion and reinforcing the commitment to transitioning to cleaner energy solutions and to more immersive and extended visitor experiences in ports of call.