Cruise Industry: Fast Facts

The Great Lakes Cruising Coalition is an international umbrella organization representing both Canadian and U.S. cruise interests. It was established in 1998 and current membership includes: Toronto, Niagara, Sault Ste. Marie, Parry Sound, Thunder Bay, Little Current, Midland, Sarnia and Windsor, as well as 16 U.S. ports and both the Canadian and U.S. Seaway authorities.

According to the Cruise Lines International Association, the cruise market has grown 8% annually over the past 28 years from 1.4 million to 14.5 million 2007. North Americans represent approximately 75% of the market.

  • The world passenger fleet consists of 265 ships in 2007, operating at 105% capacity.
  • Over the next five years the industry will build 31 new ships with 77,000 new berths, an investment of $32 billion. Small ship cruise lines will launch 11 new ships in the next three years.

For more information on tourism investment opportunities throughout Ontario, please visit: www.investinontario.com/tourism/regionalinvest.asp.