Jamaica Now Fastest Growing Regional Cruise Market

Jamaica now ranks as the fastest growing cruise destination in the Caribbean based on the pull of the Falmouth Pier, launched a year ago, and one key official estimates visitor-spend to surpass US$100 million (J$8.7 billion) or 25 per cent more than earlier year's levels.

Jamaica received its highest number of cruise visitors in four years at some 1.14 million passengers for 2011, or one-quarter more than 2010, according to latest Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) data.

Nearly half of those visitors docked at the Falmouth Pier with one-third at Ocho Rios and the balance at Montego Bay and Port Antonio.

This rise in arrivals allowed the island to beat 24 Caribbean countries in terms of growth arrivals at a time when nearly half recorded steep declines. William Tatham, vice-president Cruise Shipping & Marine Operations, Port Authority of Jamaica, told The Gleaner he expected the island to top the region based on the newness of the pier which attracts cruise liners.

The average spend was US$87.35 per cruise passenger in 2010, according to that year's Annual Travel Statistics published by the Jamaica Tourist Board, but it could rise this year as passengers are spending more at higher-end shops within the Falmouth Pier, Tatham said.

The port executive said the statistics arm of the tourism ministry would likely conduct a survey on Falmouth Pier and that he expects the results to confirm his assessment on spending.

The growth in Jamaica's cruise arrivals coincided with the launch of the Falmouth Pier. It enabled the world's largest cruise liners to dock in the island for the first time while offering additional berthing space for vessels unable to dock at Montego Bay or Ocho Rios during peak periods.

The pier was developed by PAJ in partnership with Royal Caribbean Cruise Limited (RCCL), whose investments were estimated at US$167 million and US$102 million, respectively.

The new growth puts Jamaica, previously one of the worst performers in the region, above the formidable cruise destinations of St Maarten and Antigua & Barbuda which grew by double digits in 2011, based on travel data from Caribbean Tourism Organization, which tracks regional cruise statistics.

Over the last five years, Jamaica placed closer to the bottom of the region, ranking 12th in 2010, 19th in 2009, 16th in 2008 and 21st in 2007.

The island's rise, however, comes at a period when 11 of the 24 territories recorded declines year to date including Martinique down 69 per cent, Dominica down 39 per cent, St Vincent & the Grenadines down 24 per cent and Cayman Islands down 12.7 per cent.

The Falmouth Pier accommodated its first cruise liner on February 17, 2011. The official opening and docking of the world's largest passenger vessel was realized in March, however, construction continues at the facility.

Last March, RCCL promised to flood the historic town of Falmouth with eight million cruise-ship passengers over 10 years. The port boasts modern high-tech facilities and allows for the docking of the world's largest cruise ships. It also has the capacity to handle at least two mega ships concurrently.

On completion, the facility will include a terminal building to house customs, immigration, and port security. Other areas will include restaurant services, retail shops as well as a transportation center. Subsequent phases will include on-site attractions.