Tourism Economics Launches Cruise Impact Study Series for the Caribbean and Latin America
A new series of cruise tourism impact studies is underway for destinations across the world's largest cruise market.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, APRIL 14, 2026 — Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company and global leader in travel data, forecasting, and economic impact analysis, today announced a new series of studies examining cruise tourism’s economic impact across more than 30 destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America.
The studies will provide participating destinations across the world’s largest cruise market with consistent, globally informed analysis to better measure and communicate the economic contribution of cruise tourism, while helping destinations engage local stakeholders, strengthen strategic planning, and inform longer-term decisions around tourism development and investment.
In addition, Tourism Economics will work directly with each destination to tailor the studies to local priorities, bringing greater clarity and consistency to the measurement of cruise impacts while also offering targeted insight into how destinations can maximize passenger and crew spending.
“We are thrilled about this work that sits at the heart of what we do at Tourism Economics: helping destinations measure, articulate, and act on the economic value of travel,” said Adam Sacks, President at Tourism Economics. “As cruise continues to evolve, destinations need credible, consistent analysis to support stronger decision-making, and we are proud to help deliver that across the Caribbean and Latin America.”
The announcement comes as Tourism Economics and Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), which will impartially support the study, convene in Miami for Seatrade Cruise Global 2026 to engage industry partners and highlight a shared commitment to equipping destinations with stronger tools, sharper insight, and more actionable data.
“We could not be prouder to support this new series of studies and what they mean for the lives and livelihoods of so many throughout the Caribbean and Latin America,” said Michele Paige, CEO, FCCA. “Beyond quantifying cruise tourism’s contribution to destination economies, many of the findings will help lay the groundwork for even stronger collaboration between cruise lines and destination stakeholders – and the new enhancements by Tourism Economics will unlock a world of possibilities for destinations and ensure their involvement in the new processes.”
FCCA’s support of the studies, including coordination with partner destinations and member cruise lines, further strengthens Tourism Economics’ role as a trusted provider of cruise intelligence and destination-focused analysis. The work helps advance efforts to equip destinations with stronger tools to understand and apply cruise tourism data.
To further guide the work, Tourism Economics and FCCA are also supporting initiatives such as a new FCCA Research Committee, bringing together cruise line executives and destination stakeholders to help shape study priorities and ensure the outputs meet shared industry needs.
The first series of studies will be released during the 2027 FCCA Cruise Conference and Trade Show. The studies will then be repeated every three years to provide destinations and cruise lines with current, reliable, and actionable information. The studies will also benefit from, and complement, Tourism Economics’ role in performing the global economic impact study for Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
About Tourism Economics
Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, combines deep travel industry knowledge with rigorous economic tools to help clients make smarter marketing, investment, and policy decisions. The team delivers best-in-class forecasting, economic impact analysis, and consulting services for destinations, industry organizations, and corporations worldwide.
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