2024 Great Lakes & St. Lawrence Cruise Season Kicks Off with Promising Growth
St. Lawrence Cruise Lines' Canadian Empress travels along the Canadian border
CHICAGO, May 10, 2024 (VSNewsNetwork.com) - The Great Lakes region is experiencing a significant uptick in cruise activity, with Cruise the Great Lakes announcing a strong start to the 2024 cruise season. This year's season follows a record-breaking 2023, demonstrating the enduring appeal and economic significance of cruising in the region.
Cruise the Great Lakes projects that the 2024 season will see nearly 600 port visits, with over 20,000 unique passengers visiting various Great Lakes cities, doubling the passenger count from a decade ago. The total number of cruise passenger visits is expected to exceed 140,000 for the year.
The regional economic impact of the cruise industry is anticipated to surpass $200 million in 2024, a nearly 50% increase compared to 2022. This growth is attributed to an increase in passenger numbers, port visits, shoreside spending, and the rising popularity of Great Lakes cruises among domestic and international travelers.
Anna Tanski, Tourism Director of Cruise the Great Lakes, expressed optimism about the ongoing growth of the sector: “As we start our 2024 season, we remain committed to sustaining the vitality of our region’s cruising sector,” said Tanski. “In just a decade, the number of cruise passengers has more than doubled, and Great Lakes ports continue to thrive as hubs for visitors. We are focused on maintaining this momentum as we navigate the future.”
The cruise lines operating in the Great Lakes in 2024 include Pearl Seas Cruises, Viking Cruises, St. Lawrence Cruise Lines, Ponant, Hapag-Lloyd, and Plantours Cruises, with the return of Ponant’s Le Champlain highlighting the region's attractiveness.
Anne Sayers, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism and Chair of Cruise the Great Lakes, highlighted the historical and natural appeal of the region: “The history of Great Lakes cruising extends back over 150 years, and the rich natural beauty of our region continues to captivate passengers in 2024,” said Sayers. “This enduring fascination is a testament to the timeless allure of the Great Lakes, and the economic impact of cruise passengers supports the economic vitality of large and small destinations.”
For more information on the 2024 Great Lakes cruising season, visit www.gsgp.org.
Source: Cruise the Great Lakes via Newswire
