Seven More Cruise Calls for Barbuda in 2015

Seven more cruise ship calls have been confirmed for Barbuda in 2015, according to local tourism officials.

The announcement came from CEO of the Tourism Authority Colin C James and Cruise Association President Nathan Dundas who are attending the Seatrade Europe conference in Spain.

“The growth we are seeing is very encouraging, but we cannot be complacent as Antigua & Barbuda and the rest of the Caribbean faces increased competition from other global cruising regions,” James said.

Earlier this month, it was announced there would be eight cruise calls to Barbuda for the 2014-2015 winter season from Europa Cruises, the Sea Dreams, Club Med and Wind Star Cruise.

The officials said in discussions with Sander Groothuis of Windstar Cruises, seven new calls were confirmed. Each additional visit from Windstar, which will come throughout 2015, is expected to bring up to 300 passengers.

Cruise tourism has long been touted as a way to help Barbuda out of its economic woes. Last year the Barbuda Council signed Denco Management, which is part owned by Eli Fuller, as the exclusive agent for cruise tourism in the island.

In July, Cabinet also reportedly approved a 50-year lease for Denco to develop a cruise facility at the River Wharf in Barbuda. Meanwhile, tourism officials say they are expecting more than 700,000 cruise ship passenger visits for the first time in five years.

Since 2009, the country has failed to get more than 700,000 cruise visitors and only one year had more than 600,000.

Source: The Antigua Observer