ANALYSIS OF THE CRUISE INDUSTRY IN THE USA

Turistično križarjenje po morju je eno izmed najhitreje rastočih množičnih turističnih dejavnosti na svetu. Obsega vrsto različnih storitev, kot npr. oglede znamenitosti, športne aktivnosti, kopanje, kulinariko itd. Turizem, tako tudi križarjenja, ima gospodarske in druge posredne pozitivne učinke. Vplivi križarjenj so ambivalentni, saj dejavnost sproža tudi nekatere negativne socio-ekonomske in okoljske učinke. Diplomsko delo obsega šest poglavij in je sestavljeno iz teoretičnega in aplikativnega dela. V prvem delu so predstavljeni zgodovinski oris, deležniki dejavnosti, ponudniki križarjenj in vplivi na okolje in prostor. V drugem delu naloge je narejena raziskava o dejavnosti križarjenj v ZDA. Opisani so dejavniki, ki vplivajo na odločitev turistov za izbiro takšne vrste počitnic, preučene so demografske značilnosti križarskih turistov in analiziran vpliv dejavnosti na gospodarstvo ZDA.Cruises are one of the fastest-growing mass tourism activities in the world. They encompass a range of different services, such as sightseeing, sports, swimming, and cuisine. Tourism, including cruises, has economic effects and other indirect positive effects. However, the effects of cruises are ambivalent, as this tourism activity also leads to some negative socio-economic and environmental impacts. This diploma thesis comprises six chapters divided into both theoretical and practical parts. The first part presents the history, activity participants, cruise providers, and impacts on the environment and space. In the second part, a study of cruise activity in the USA is carried out, describing the factors that influence tourist’s decision to choose this type of holiday. The study examines demographic characteristics of cruise tourists and analyses the impact of such activities on the US economy