SINGAPORE, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Southeast Asia's cruise industry generated an estimated 10 billion U.S. dollars in economic output and contributed 4.5 billion dollars to gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024, underscoring its growing role in the regional economy, according to a joint report by Tourism Economics and Cruise Lines International Association revealed on Tuesday.

According to the report, Southeast Asia recorded 3.9 million passenger visits in the cruise industry, with Singapore and Malaysia accounting for most passenger visits to ports, making up 48 percent and 22 percent of the total, respectively.

Meanwhile, cruise tourism supported around 529,000 jobs across Southeast Asia, filling roles on shore and shipboard, and equivalent to 30 percent of global cruise-related employment.

Across the region, total cruise-linked spending reached 5.6 billion dollars, representing 6 percent of global cruise-related expenditure, with cruise line staff wages accounting for the largest share at 38 percent.

Cruise line purchases were the second-largest contributor at 34 percent, followed by passenger and crew spending at 19 percent, while shipbuilding and capacity-related activities accounted for the remaining 8 percent.

At the country level, Singapore generated the highest total output at 3.6 billion dollars, followed by the Philippines at 3.2 billion dollars and Indonesia at 1.5 billion dollars.

However, the Philippines recorded the largest GDP contribution at 1.6 billion dollars, surpassing Singapore's 1.4 billion dollars, driven by stronger wage-related impacts. This was followed by Indonesia, which generated a GDP impact of 700 million dollars. ■