Tourism Stakeholders Urged to Prepare for Traditionally Slower Spring Period

Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 25, 2022 (SKNIS): Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Lindsay Grant, is urging tourism stakeholders to prepare for the upcoming slower period in cruising as industry officials relocate their vessels to other continents.

“Many of the cruise lines reposition their ships to destinations like Europe and Alaska that are warm and hence more attractive during the summer months when compared to the winter periods,” Minister Grant said at a press conference on Thursday, March 24, 2022. “Moreover, some of the cruise line partners have downgraded their fleet or are still trying to bring back ships online.”

Against this backdrop, the minister said the 35 port calls by cruise vessels have been scheduled for April 2022. This is more than 50 percent lower than the 75 actual calls recorded as of March 23, 2022. The figures are in line with trends in 2019 when there were 33 port calls and 29 projected calls in 2020.

“As we draw near the end of the peak winter cruise season, we must manage our expectations,” he stated. “… we do not anticipate cruise summer arrivals to be the same as during the peak winter season.”

Stakeholders were encouraged to innovate to maintain the confidence that cruise partners have in the St. Kitts tourism product.