Visit Detroit announced Great Lakes cruise passenger spending generated nearly $1.5 million in direct economic impact for Detroit in 2023.
This spending supports shops, restaurants, transportation providers, tour operators, and other small businesses in Detroit and elsewhere around the Great Lakes, underscoring the growing economic importance of cruising to the region.
In 2023, approximately 14,000 passengers visited Detroit aboard seven cruise ships — the Pearl Mist, Ocean Navigator, Ocean Voyager, Octantis, Polaris, MS Hamburg, and La Bellot. Regionally, nearly 25,000 passengers made 800 visits to Great Lakes ports in 2023, an increase of more than 20 percent from last year.
“The substantial economic impact of cruise passenger spending in Detroit highlights the city’s growing allure as a premier destination for Great Lakes cruising,” says Jennifer Ollinger, manager of domestic and international tourism at Visit Detroit. “The positive influence on local businesses underscores the transformative experiences Detroit offers to visitors exploring our vibrant city and the surrounding region.”
Cruise the Great Lakes is the region’s cruise marketing program focused on attracting more passengers. It is a forum to bring together the states, provinces, cruise lines, ports, convention and visitors bureaus, chambers of commerce, associations, and others to work toward shared goals.
“Cruise the Great Lakes remains committed to promoting the remarkable cruising experiences available in our region,” says Anna Tanski, tourism director of Cruise the Great Lakes. “The year-on-year growth in passengers, port visits, onshore spending, and the increasing premium on Great Lakes cruises reflect the region’s growing popularity as a destination.”
For more information, visit cruisethegreatlakes.com and cruisethegreatlakes.ca.
