As the 2023/2024 cruise season came to a close on Wednesday, the Ministry of Tourism said total expenditure by passengers to T&T was over $48 million.
In a news release yesterday, the ministry said for Trinidad, increased revenue was generated at the various ports, for tour operators, taxi drivers, craft vendors and local businesses.
Based on available data gathered by Tourism Trinidad’s visitor surveys, the average visitor spend was estimated at USD$431 per person, equating to USD$3,356,193 (TT$22,822,112). According to a survey conducted by a local agency, the average spend on tours per person was a further USD$25, with 21,049 persons disembarking for organised tours, equating to USD$526,225 (TT$3,578,330).
As it pertains to Tobago, the Tobago Tourism Agency, estimated spend per passenger was USD$26 totalling USD$2,587,728 (TT$17,596,550) for the season.
It said 26,890 passengers went on organised tours, with an average expenditure of US$25 per person amounting to USD$672,250 (TT$4,571,300).
Passenger demographics
The ministry said the majority of passengers hailed from the United States, constituting a significant 70 per cent of the total arrivals, followed by Canada with nine per cent and France with seven per cent.
Other notable contributors, it said include the United Kingdom with four per cent, Uruguay with three per cent, and the Rest of the World accounting for six per cent.
The ministry noted that relatively smaller numbers were recorded from the Caribbean, Germany, and other regions at one per cent.
“The dominance of the United States in cruise passenger arrivals to T&T is mostly due to our islands offering unique attractions and experiences that appeal to American tourists, such as our diverse cultural heritage, festivals, and natural beauty.
“Moreover, marketing efforts and strategic partnerships between cruise lines and local tourism authorities have enhanced the destination’s visibility and attractiveness to American travellers, resulting in a substantial influx of passengers from this market. The data also shows a notable presence of Canadian tourists, comprising nine per cent of the total arrivals,” the release further stated.
Direct employment
The ministry said direct employment was also created for 30 visitor ambassadors for the season.
It said the ambassadors were stationed at key points between the Cruise Ship Complex and the Trinity Cathedral and they were tasked with providing hospitality and tour assistance to passengers who may have opted to tour or shop on their own.
Also, the ministry said proactive participation in trade events and collaborative efforts with cruise lines resulted in increased cruise calls and a wider reach for T&T.
Ministry officials and industry stakeholders, led by Tourism Minister Randall Mitchell attended the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) conferences in 2022 and 2023 and held discussions with several cruise lines. This stimulated their interest in conducting business with the country which resulted in increased cruise calls.
Mitchell said, “This successful season reflects our deep commitment to enhancing T&T’s position as a premier cruise destination. We’re extremely pleased with the positive response and will continue to innovate to attract even more visitors in the future.”