Jamaica expects record number of cruisers this year
Cruise passenger arrivals in Jamaica are forecast to rise to a record 1.4 million this year, the Tourism Ministry says.
Speaking at a parliamentary debate, minister of tourism and entertainment Dr. Wykeham McNeill said the first four months of the year has seen an increase of 3.6%, reversing last year’s decline of 4.2%.
Dr. McNeill cited the addition of MSC Cruises’ Divina and the Disney Fantasy to Jamaica for port calls this season and by the year end, three ships – the Louis Crystal, the Aida Bella, and the Thomson Dream – will homeport in Montego Bay.
The minister noted that homeporting in Jamaica generates more airlift and tax revenues from the predominantly European fly-cruise market.
Using the example of the Thompson Dream, "TUI Travel will add four additional flights out of the United Kingdom to service this ship," he said.
Also, the ministry will spend almost $1 billion dollars around the Falmouth cruise terminal due to community concerns that the facility does not benefit local residents.
The project will feature new restaurants, an entertainment center and shops, along with landscaping and road improvements.
Jamaica’s third cruise port Ocho Rios will also be upgraded early next year.
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