Record high cruise visitors expected in Tobago

Cultural dancers bedecked in traditional costume engage with cruise passengers at Scarborough Port on March 8

Destination Tobago is projected to receive approximately 80,000 cruise passengers by the end of the 2017-2018 cruise season, making it the island’s most successful cruise season in recorded history.
This figure represents a 236 percent increase in cruise visitors from the 2016/2017 season, which saw the arrival of 23,821 passengers.
“These figures are certainly great news for the destination as we continue to work alongside all stakeholders to stimulate growth within the tourism industry,” said Secretary of Tourism, Culture and Transportation, Councillor Nadine Stewart-Phillips. “It is clear that Tobago has made significant progress within the cruise sector – a fact that has positively impacted the island’s tourism business unit – and it is our intention to maintain this momentum moving forward.”
Thus far this season the island has received 55 cruise calls from ships originating in countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and France.
Among the most notable arrivals are the seven calls from the MV Britannia, the second largest ship to call on the destination with a total of 24,269 passengers; as well as the MS Fantasia, the largest ship to visit the island with a total of 3,519 passengers.
It is expected that the successful berthing of both vessels in the Scarborough Port will boost industry confidence in Tobago’s ability to receive ships of that size, and result in the destination’s ability to attract new and larger vessels in the future.
Source:  The Loop