Alan Lam reporting

Pullmantur Cruises has announced that the Colombian port city of Cartagena de Indias will be its principle point of embarkation for its two 2017 Caribbean itineraries.

This decision - which reinforces the company’s intention of developing its cruise business in Colombia - effectively means that Cartagena will be Pullmantur’s principle homeport in the Caribbean and it will increase the port’s cruise passenger throughput by 27% next year.

“The country is living through a vital moment in its history,” said José Blanco VP Commercial of Pullmantur Group, reflecting on its recent peace deal with FARC. “This is a logical response to the evolution that is taking place in the market where the demand for this form of vacation option is getting stronger from day to day.”

Pullmantur has been calling at this port since 2010. During the last six years it has brought in more than 180,000 passengers on 227 calls. “Cartagena is one of the most beautiful cities in the world,” continued Blanco, “and there is a huge demand not only from the Colombians but also from travellers from all over the world.”

With its 57 planned turnaround operations in 2017, it is estimated that the provisional economic impact may exceed $18 million for the colonial port city. “The impact of Pullmantur Cruises on Cartagena is very important,” said Felipe Jaramillo, President of ProColombia. “According to reports by the regional port authority, from 2010 to 2016 the company has made 227 calls, contributing about $28 million to the local economy. The cruise industry has a major implication to the country, especial to the post-conflict Colombia.”

From November Pullmantur will offer two all-inclusive Caribbean itineraries from Cartagena: the new “Caribe Legendario” (Legendary Caribbean) on Monarch and “Antillas & Caribe Sur” (Antilles & Southern Caribbean) on Zenith.