Approximately 28,000 cruise visitors have arrived at the Port of Port of Spain since the 2023/2024 cruise season began in October 2023.
On Tuesday, 2,600 passengers arrived on the Jewel of the Seas while the MSC Seaside’s inaugural visit to Trinidad last Thursday, brought 4,234 passengers, the largest contingent to these shores for the current cruise season.
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts says according to a 2023 Survey Report of Cruise Visitors to Trinidad prepared by Tourism Trinidad Limited, cruise ship visitors spend on average approximately US$50 and crew members spend US$26 per visit. The Ministry says by these estimates the money injected into the economy thus far is upwards of US$1.4 million and this figure is expected to continue to grow as 22 more cruise calls are expected at the Port of Port of Spain for the season.
Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, Randall Mitchell, says visitor arrivals will not only provide economic benefits to the island but the opportunity for cultural exchanges between the visitors and our citizens as well.