Cruise Line Boosts Colombia Tourism Industry

The resort beach city of Colombia, Cartagena will reportedly register 16% growth in 2012-2013 cruise season as compared to last year bringing an estimated 313,000 passengers to Cartagena.

Proexport Colombia's President, María Claudia Lacouture, pointed out that "This represents an important growth, considering that, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism, the 2011-2012 season brought in 270,000 passengers on ships, docking 162 times in the city."

During the upcoming season, 175 arrivals are planned at the Cartagena cruise ship terminal, eleven more than during the 2011-2012 period. This growth has been characterized by new lines, like Kristina Cruises and Paul Gauguin Cruises, which are revealing of Colombia's ranking in the Finnish and Noble Caledonian marketplaces.

The schedule highlights the return of Disney cruises, docking three times with an estimated 7,200 passengers. This cruise line had not visited the port since 2008.

The cruise line with the highest participation will be Princess Cruises with 39 scheduled arrivals and close to 77,000 passengers. Meanwhile, other cruise lines will increase their number of arrivals in Cartagena: Royal Caribbean between 23 and 26; Celebrity Cruises, between 16 and 21; Holland America, between 12 and 17, and Norwegian, between 4 and 14.

According to the Cartagena Port Society General Manager, "the arrival of the new cruise lines reflects Colombia's ranking as a tourist destination and consolidates Cartagena as a paramount city for the cruise line industry, having a positive impact on the country's image abroad and the local economy".

Source: Travel and Tour World