Cruising to Success, Dominica Expects 18% Increase in Cruise Ship Visits for 2023-2024 Season
Dominica is preparing for an impressive 18 percent increase in cruise ship visits during the 2023-2024 season. This follows a remarkable 24 percent surge in the previous season, indicating the island’s growing appeal as a cruise destination. Major cruise lines such as Celebrity, AIDA, MSC, Disney Cruise Lines, Holland America, and Carnival are all gearing up to make stops on the island.
Norwegian Cruise Lines is expected to play a significant role in the upcoming season, with 12 stops scheduled directly from New York. This influx of tourists is expected to invigorate various sectors of Dominica’s local economy, including taxi services, tour operators, hair braiders, and restaurant owners.
Dominica experienced significant growth in the cruise industry during the 2022-2023 season. There was a 32 percent increase in cruise calls compared to the previous season, with the island hosting 190 cruise calls and welcoming 236,288 passengers. This marked a substantial improvement over the 2019-2020 season, which saw 143 calls and 189,334 passengers.
Looking ahead, Dominica is projecting an 18.5 percent increase in cruise calls and a 15.3 percent increase in passengers for the 2023-2024 season. Anticipated totals are 224 calls and 270,000 passengers, signaling a strong and continuing trend of growth in the cruise sector.
Going back to 2019, there was optimism about projections for the 2019-2020 cruise season. It was expected that there would be 164 cruise calls and 286,470 cruise passengers, reflecting high hopes following discussions with cruise lines.
The upcoming cruise season is set to commence in October, and Dominica is gearing up for another prosperous year in the cruise sector. With record-breaking numbers and major cruise lines showing increasing interest, Dominica continues to shine on the cruise tourism stage.
The island’s pristine natural beauty, warm hospitality, and diverse range of experiences make it an attractive destination for cruise travelers. Dominica’s commitment to sustainable tourism practices also appeals to cruise lines and passengers looking to explore and appreciate nature responsibly.
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