Cruise Ships To Attract 715 Jobs, $36 Million To N.E. Florida
Economic Study Shows Impact Of Currently Scheduled Cruises
POSTED: 4:08 p.m. EDT October 20, 2003
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The cruise industry will create 715 new jobs and $36.4 million in annual economic impact for northeast Florida by 2005, according to a study just released by the Northeast Florida Regional Council.
The study is based on current commitments by two cruise lines -- Celebrity and Carnival (pictured, left) -- to operate service from Jacksonville ports. The jobs and revenue could grow if those or other cruise lines brought additional service or larger vessels to the area.
"Introducing cruise service to Jacksonville is helping Jaxport to fulfill our vision to be a major economic engine for northeast Florida," Rick Ferrin, executive director of the port, said in a statement. "While many Jacksonville residents will enjoy the ease of cruising from our new cruise terminal, many additional residents will benefit either directly or indirectly from new business or job opportunities brought by the cruise industry."
According to Jaxport, 124 new part-time jobs -- the equivalent of 45 full-time jobs -- were already created by the cruise industry in Jacksonville. The first regularly scheduled cruise from the new cruise terminal -- Celebrity Cruises' Zenith -- will sail on Oct. 27. Carnival Cruise Lines will begin local departures of the Miracle next February.
Based on their current commitments to Jacksonville, Carnival and Celebrity will handle about 150,000 passengers each year.
More than 60 percent of the new economic impact will be the result of spending from passengers, may of whom are expected to stay in the greater Jacksonville area before or after their cruise. That money will be spend at hotels, restaurants, rental car agencies, taxis, gasoline stations, retail shopping, golf courses and similar attractions.
Additionally, each ship has more than 600 crew members, many of whom will spend money while in port. Each ship will also take on provisions while docked in Jacksonville, including perishable foods and fuel, as well as pay for docking services and river pilots.
Jaxport is expected to earn $2.5 million annually in new revenues. This money will be used to pay for the temporary, $5.5 million cruise terminal and a future, permanent cruise terminal.
The study projected that 85 percent of this impact will be in Duval County, with the rest experienced in Nassau, St. Johns and Clay counties.
Copyright 2003 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The study is based on current commitments by two cruise lines -- Celebrity and Carnival (pictured, left) -- to operate service from Jacksonville ports. The jobs and revenue could grow if those or other cruise lines brought additional service or larger vessels to the area.
"Introducing cruise service to Jacksonville is helping Jaxport to fulfill our vision to be a major economic engine for northeast Florida," Rick Ferrin, executive director of the port, said in a statement. "While many Jacksonville residents will enjoy the ease of cruising from our new cruise terminal, many additional residents will benefit either directly or indirectly from new business or job opportunities brought by the cruise industry."
According to Jaxport, 124 new part-time jobs -- the equivalent of 45 full-time jobs -- were already created by the cruise industry in Jacksonville. The first regularly scheduled cruise from the new cruise terminal -- Celebrity Cruises' Zenith -- will sail on Oct. 27. Carnival Cruise Lines will begin local departures of the Miracle next February.
Based on their current commitments to Jacksonville, Carnival and Celebrity will handle about 150,000 passengers each year.
More than 60 percent of the new economic impact will be the result of spending from passengers, may of whom are expected to stay in the greater Jacksonville area before or after their cruise. That money will be spend at hotels, restaurants, rental car agencies, taxis, gasoline stations, retail shopping, golf courses and similar attractions.
Additionally, each ship has more than 600 crew members, many of whom will spend money while in port. Each ship will also take on provisions while docked in Jacksonville, including perishable foods and fuel, as well as pay for docking services and river pilots.
Jaxport is expected to earn $2.5 million annually in new revenues. This money will be used to pay for the temporary, $5.5 million cruise terminal and a future, permanent cruise terminal.
The study projected that 85 percent of this impact will be in Duval County, with the rest experienced in Nassau, St. Johns and Clay counties.
Previous Stories:
- May 8, 2003: Carnival To Offer Cruises From Jacksonville
- March 25, 2003: Cruise Ship To Sail From Jacksonville This Fall
Copyright 2003 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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