The New York City Economic Development Corporation, host of this year’s Cruise Canada New England Symposium, remains bullish on the cruise industry, according to Maria Torres-Springer, president and CEO.

“The cruise industry is vital not only to the local economy, but to the region; it is having an extraordinary impact for all of the different people who participate,” Torres-Springer told Cruise Industry News. “Certainly it is an industry that benefits different customers when passengers embark from New York City; it also means additional revenue for local businesses, for brokers in New York, so we are thrilled to participate in symposia like today’s because it helps us not only strengthen cruising in New York, but really continue to diversify New York City’s economy.”

New York expects over one million passengers between Pier 88 and Pier 90 in Manhattan, as well as Brooklyn’s Red Hook facility. In addition are even more passengers from Royal Caribbean Cruises’ facility across the harbor in Bayonne, New Jersey.

With a record orderbook, New York will be poised to benefit for both Canada/New England itineraries and cruises heading south to the Caribbean and Bermuda.