ICCL pegs cruise food spending tops $923 million

Food and beverage spending by cruise lines in the United States generated US$923 million and employed more than 2,400 people in 2005, according to a annual study released this fall by the International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL).

The Washington based group – which will merge January 1 with the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), released the study this fall. The group plotted the spending of 10 cruise lines that accounted for 80 percent of the industry’s gross revenues and 95 percent of its passenger base.

In 2004, the same study showed that food service amounted to US$905 million and employed slightly less than 2,500 people.

Overall, the robust cruise industry was a “$32.4 billion partner in North America’s Economic Growth” according to the study, which was conducted with the help of a firm called Business Research & Economic Advisors. A full copy of the 93 page study can be found at the ICCL’s website www.iccl.org.