Supply chain in the cruise industry: Suppliers' localization, territorial organization, and local impacts—Insights from the Genoa case study

Abstract The cruise industry has been for the last couple decades one of the fastest growing sectors of the maritime economy. The level of development varies from geographical area, the Mediterranean being one of the most advanced. Current research focuses on the industry’s supply chain mainly from a business organization perspective and less in terms of spatial/regional impacts. This paper aims at investigating the spatial organization of the suppliers involved in the cruise supply chain. Alongside uncovering broad scientific insights, the paper’s ultimate aim is to offer policy recommendations to enhance the competitive advantage – via job creation and the expansion of the local maritime cluster – brought about by a cruise terminal.