Cruise Industry Brings 1,100+ Travel Agents to Seattle

CRUISE-A-THON gives local travel industry a national audience and profile

More than 1,100 travel agents and hundreds of travel industry suppliers will gather in Seattle June 4-7 for the 23rd annual Travel Trade CRUISE-A-THON. This year marks the first time the event has been held in Seattle. In fact, it is the first time in 23 years that this key convention for the travel industry has been held in any city other than Miami/Ft. Lauderdale or Vancouver, B.C.

"Hosting CRUISE-A-THON in Seattle is a sure sign that this city and this region have become a major focus for the cruise industry," said Port of Seattle CEO Mic Dinsmore. "It also shows that the Seattle area has strong interest from travel agents and holds the promise of bolstering the already strong economic impact of the cruise industry."

The meeting is expected to generate approximately $2.3 million in economic impact for Seattle and the Puget Sound region, according to the Port of Seattle and Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau, which worked in tandem to book CRUISE-A-THON. Travel agents are extremely influential in the cruise industry, accounting for more than 80 percent of all cruises booked.

The four-day conference will feature travel agent seminars, symposiums and workshops, industry receptions, tours of cruise vessels, Seattle sightseeing tours and a tradeshow that will allow more than 75 regional tourism businesses and destination marketing organizations to meet visiting travel agents and other cruise industry representatives.

"It's a coup for any destination to secure this highly-coveted meeting," said Don Welsh, President & CEO of Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau. "We're extremely fortunate to have so many influential travel trade professionals in our city at one time. The potential for booking future cruises, as well pre- and post visits to Seattle and the area, is strong."

The 2005 cruise season will set new records, according to Port of Seattle projections, with 14 different vessels making 169 total calls and more than 685,000 passengers expected to pass through Seattle's two cruise terminals. Seattle's cruise industry has grown dramatically since 1999 when the Port hosted just six cruise ship visits. In 2004, a season total of 149 sailings and approximately 562,000 passengers represented growth of 62 percent over 2003.

New cruises offered this year from Seattle include three-, four-, and five day round-trip Pacific Northwest voyages by Celebrity Cruises to Prince Rupert, Nanaimo, Victoria and Vancouver in British Columbia and Astoria, Oregon, as well as 10- and 11-day Alaska cruises by Norwegian Cruise Line. Seven-day round trip cruises to Alaska by Celebrity, Holland America Line, Norwegian and Princess Cruises will depart Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Pier 66 and Terminal 30 from May to mid-October.

The cruise industry generated 1,732 local jobs in 2004 with a payroll of $59 million. The industry also was responsible for $208 million in local business revenue and $5.8 million in state and local tax revenue. Overall, visitors spend $3.7 billion in Seattle and King County annually, contributing more than $300 million in state and local tax revenues. Direct visitor spending benefits hotels, retailers, restaurants, attractions, transportation services and other businesses and supports jobs for 60,000 people in the Seattle region.