Alan Lam reporting
Trinidad and Tobago expects 16 ships to call at Port of Spain, bringing with them more than 30,000 cruise visitors, during the forthcoming 2015-16 season, which will commence in November, as a result of the recent rigorous marketing campaign by the twin-island republic to attract this form of tourism.
The number represents a 56% increase in cruise passenger arrivals, as compared to the same period of the previous year, according to the latest statement by Tourism Development Company (TDC), the implementation arm of the Ministry of Tourism, mandated to develop and market Trinidad and Tobago as a tourist destination. This comes on the back of a 104% increase a year earlier, between 2014 and 2015, the biggest growth reported for any destination in the Caribbean.
There is an increasing popularity of Trinidad and Tobago as a port of call.“Some of the world’s most luxurious cruise ships have added Trinidad and Tobago to their itineraries for the upcoming season,” stated TDC, “including the MSC Orchestra, with a capacity of over 2,000 passengers, and the intimate yet sumptuous World Odyssey and Voyager ships. Also making a return to Trinidad and Tobago’s waters are the Saga Sapphire and Seven Ocean Princess.”
Correspondingly, TDC has been coordinating an increase in on-shore activities and excursions available for cruise passengers, both in and beyond the city limit of Port of Spain.
During a cruise ship call the TDC will strategically position visitor guides in and around the Port area of Port of Spain to assist passengers with maps and information on local points of interest.
