Economic Impact of Cruise Ships Passengers in Portland, Maine

Gabe, Todd and McConnon, James (2009): Economic Impact of Cruise Ships Passengers in Portland, Maine.

Abstract

This report examines the demographic characteristics and economic impact of cruise ship passengers in Portland, Maine, and its surrounding region. In 2008, the city hosted an estimated 47,841 passengers from 32 ships. Information collected from surveys distributed during the fall of 2008 suggests that cruise ship passengers spend an average of $80.51 on goods and services in the Portland region. This amount increases to $109.68 with the inclusion of passenger expenditures on cruise-line sponsored tours. The total economic impact of cruise ship passenger spending, including multiplier effects, is between $5.8 million and $8.0 million in sales revenue throughout the Portland region. Economic activity associated with this spending supported between 69 and 96 full- and part-time jobs, and provided between $2.0 million and $3.2 million in wages and salaries.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Cruise Ship Passengers, Economic Impact, Tourism Spending, Maine
• Subjects: L - Industrial Organization > L8 - Industry Studies: Services > L83 - Sports ; Gambling ; Restaurants ; Recreation ; Tourism; R - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics > R1 - General Regional Economics > R11 - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes; R - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics > R1 - General Regional Economics > R15 - Econometric and Input-Output Models ; Other Models

References

Business Research & Economic Advisors, “The Contribution of the North America Cruise Industry to the U.S. Economy in 2007.” Report prepared for the Cruise Lines International Association, 2008.

Gabe, Todd, Colleen Lynch, James McConnon and Thomas Allen, “Economic Impact of Cruise Ship Passengers in Bar Harbor, Maine.” Department of Resource Economics and Policy, University of Maine, Staff Paper 518, March 2003.

Longwoods International, “Travel and Tourism in Maine: The 2006 Visitor Study.” Report prepared for the Maine Office of Tourism, June 2007.