The Spokesman also interviewed Marketing Communications Manager of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority (SKTA) Mr. Sagu N’Gala.
He revealed that even though the world over is experiencing a state of recession, “St. Kitts and Nevis has been very fortunate, in that the Cruise sector of our tourism industry has been able to grow and increase in numbers instead of decreasing.”
“All our stakeholders,” remarked the SKTA Executive, “are working very hard to develop our Tourism Industry; from the taxi drivers to the hotel managers, the waiters and waitresses to the souvenir vendors are doing a great job to market St.Kitts and Nevis as the #1 Tourism destination in the Caribbean.”
N’gala, observed that there has been a significant increase in cruise passengers visitors from the season of 2008-2009 to current 2009-2010.
“Just last year when the season started in October, ending in March the following year, there were 220 cruise liners coming to our shores,” he said.
He continued that this season (October 2009-March 2010) there is an expected 260 cruise liners scheduled to grace our shores.
“Overall,” N’gala expressed, “we are expecting over 500,000 cruise ship passengers for this season alone from 260 cruise liners!”
In outlining the schedule for this week, which started on Sunday, November, 22nd, 2009, he explained that the Ocean Village unloaded most of the 1,692 passengers on to our shores. Many of which toured the island via taxi and the Scenic Railway.
He continued that on Wednesday three vessels, the Carnival Miracle, the Sea Princess, and the Royal Clipper will dock at Port Zante with their precious cargo of passengers.
He stated on Thursday (yesterday) the Queen Mary and the Norwegian Dawn were scheduled to dock as well.
Saturday (tomorrow) exclaimed N’gala,is a very big day; “the Carnival Victory and the Ruby Princess are scheduled to dock, bringing a bounteous estimation of over 6000 passengers here to taste Kittitian paradise.”
The plan, he concluded, “is to increase reveue by enhancing the visitation experience here in St.Kitts and Nevis to promote growth because of the fantastic experiences that our visitors would have had.”