Members & Travel Agents THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS EXPERIENCES STRONG RECOVERY OF CRUISE TOURISM BUSINESS
The Department of Tourism reported that as of January, calls to St. Thomas were approaching pre-storm levels, while business to St. Croix was buoyed by various cruise lines, including Norwegian Cruise Line. Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty credits the FCCA and its Member Lines for assisting the destination with its recovery, including Royal Caribbean International investing significant resources in the restoration and reopening of Magens Bay on St. Thomas. PORT ST. MAARTEN KICKS OFF 2018 ON A HIGH NOTE
BARBADOS CELEBRATES ANOTHER RECORD YEAR
2018 presented another record year for the cruise industry in Barbados, with an estimated 825,000 passenger arrivals. Tourism officials welcomed its 812, 864th passenger on December 29th. The momentous achievement blew the previously set record out of the water. Documented almost 13 years ago, the previous record was 812,863 passengers.
Belize registered a record breaking 427,109 overnight visitors in 2017, representing a 10.8 percent increase over 2016. Cruise ship arrivals also experienced overall growth of 0.9 percent last year. These increases reaffirm Belize as a growing, viable and must-visit destination in Central America and the Caribbean.
GUADELOUPE’S BEST SEASON SINCE 1999
CURAÇAO’S NEW SECOND MEGA PIER, “TULA,” OPERATIONAL
76 FIRST QUARTER 2018 | TRAVEL & CRUISE
Pure Grenada’s winter 2017-2018 season welcomed 11 inaugural ship calls. New calls included a visit from Celebrity Silhouette and MSC Fantasia. Other inaugural calls were received from Hapag-Lloyd’s MS Europa 2, Viking Sea, Marella Discovery 2, MV Columbus, and Silver Muse. Island Princess, Magellan, Norwegian Pearl & Viking Sky are also scheduled to visit. DOMINICA READY FOR CRUISE BUSINESS!
BELIZE REGISTERS RECORD TOURISM ARRIVALS
The New Year started with a bang on January 2nd when approximately 12,000 cruise passengers disembarked for a fun day of tours, shopping, excursions and other sea-side activities on the “Friendly Island.” For more information about the destination, visit: www.portstmaarten.com
The 2017-2018 cruise seasons was Guadeloupe’s best since 1999, with 300 calls throughout the destination’s five ports and anchorage options from October 2017 to April 2018. In total, Guadeloupe welcomed 450,000 cruise passengers during the season, mostly coming from Germany, Italy and France.
PURE GRENADA ATTRACTS INCREASED ATTENTION FROM CRUISE LUXURY BRANDS
On November 13, 2017, the first cruise ship moored at the new mega pier Tula. Now, the Curaçao Ports Authority (CPA) will continue to enhance logistics & reception area and construct additional dolphins, which will make it possible to accommodate the largest vessels in the cruise market.
Dominica’s rebuilding has progressed significantly. The destination welcomed its first call, the SY Sea Cloud on December 28, 2017 and resulting from a TUI Cruises ShorEx FAM visit, Mein Schiff 3 called on January 28, 2018. The Nature Island is reviving and ready to welcome you! MORE CALLS TO HUTCHISON PORTS ECV
Ensenada Cruiseport Village received 3.5 percent more cruise ship arrivals from 2016 to 2017. This is the result of new tours offered last year, where the passengers enjoyed new experiences, such as beach escapes, Mexican traditions and the Kumiai native reserve tour. Find out more at hutchisonportseit.com MEMBERS OF THE SEA OF CORTEZ ROUTE FORMING MOU Sonora is working with the states of Sinaloa and Baja California Sur on an MOU to establish a cooperative and collaborative
