One million visitors by 2002

THE CRUISE shipping industry is expected to reach a historic one million mark in passenger arrivals by the end of 2002. Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, Dr. Wykeham McNeill, gave this projection last Wednesday at the weekly Think Tank session of the Jamaica Information Service.

He explained that this target was attainable because of the new arrangements being made for three of the world's largest cruise ships to dock at Jamaica's ports.

William Tatham, General Manager of Shipping at the Jamaica Tourist Board, pointed out that the Voyager, one of the world's largest cruise ships has been docking in Ocho Rios every Wednesday.

Explorer of the Seas, another large cruise ship, is expected to start docking at the local ports by the end of April 2002. The Explorer will be visiting twice each month.

The Navigator of the Seas is expected to arrive by November 2002 and there are plans for it to fill the gap on alternate weeks following the departure of the Explorer.

Dr. McNeill said that the Ministry was working in collaboration with the Port Authority of Jamaica in a moderisation and expansion project for the ports of Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. This project will allow ports to facilitate the mega cruise ships and is set for completion in time for the arrival of the Explorer of the Seas.

Back to Business