The Minister of Tourism of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Denise Charles, said that Dominica is expecting 18% increase in the ship calls for the 2023-24 cruise season. It is to be noted that, Minister of Tourism, Denise Charles, has made the following announcement while speaking to the stakeholders at the Goodwill Parish Hall on Thursday.
During the talks with the stakeholders, she said that, “Last cruise season we experienced a 24 percent surge in cruise visits with a total number of 186,750 passengers disembarking to explore our natural unspoiled gem, our country Dominica. This year we are expecting an 18 percent increase in cruise stops over last year, including major lines such as Celebrity, AIDA, MSC, and Disney Cruise Lines, and returning to us Holland America and Carnival.”
As per Minister Charles, during this cruise season Dominica will receive 12 stops from Norwegian Cruise Lines directly from New York. Noting to which, she said that, “Simply put, cruise-related livelihoods such as taxi, tour operators, vendors, hair braiders, restaurant owners can expect a very good season.”
It is to be specifically mentioned that, in the month of May this year, the Minister of Tourism, Charles has reported that the island state of Dominica has seen a spike in the cruise industry during the 2022-23 season.
While announcing on the above mentioned, Minister Charles, said that, “Dominica witnessed significant growth in the cruise industry during the 2022-2023 season with a 32 percent increase in calls to 189 and a remarkable rise of 44,749 passengers compared to the Pre-Covid 2019-2020 season. As we look ahead the 2023-2024 season promises continued growth with an estimated 18.5 percent increase in cruise calls to 224 and a 15.3 percent increase in passengers to 270,000.”
It is to be specifically added that the 2023-2024 cruise ship season will open in the month of October.
