Cruise Tourism Expenditures in the Caribbean
Cruise Ships and Tourism
You can see the ships. They’re in just about every port in the Caribbean, bringing thousands of passengers to their shores.
A Clear Picture of Spending
But what’s not always clear is how much money these passengers are actually spending in the Caribbean. But a new report from the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association sheds significant light on that question.
The Leader: The Bahamas
And one country stands out: The Bahamas, the clear leader in cruise tourism expenditures in the wider region, with a total of $654.9 million in the 2023-2024 cruise tourism season.
Other Beneficiaries
According to the report, the next-biggest beneficiary was Cozumel in Mexico at $483.1 million, the US Virgin Islands at $258.1 million; the Dominican Republic, with a total of $251.4 million, followed by St Maarten at $237.8 million and Puerto Rico at $201.9 million.
A Total of $4.27 Billion
The numbers were revealed to Caribbean Journal in a report called Economic Contribution of Cruise Tourism to the Destination Economies, which showed a total of $4.27 billion in the wider region last season in cruise tourism expenditures — 27 percent higher than the record set in the previous study back in 2018.
A Veritable Boom
“We could not be prouder of these results and what they mean for the lives and livelihoods of so many throughout the Caribbean and Latin America,” said Michele Paige, CEO, FCCA. “In addition to showing what cruise tourism brings to these destinations’ economies, many of the study’s findings will also serve as the foundation of building further mutual success between cruise lines and destination stakeholders.”
Additional Findings
Average spend per passenger rose for 26 of 31 member destinations in the Caribbean, with 14 destinations showing average spend rates of over $100 per passenger.
A Record Year
Overall, 33.3 million passenger and crew visited the Caribbean last season, a 13 percent increase compared to the previous study.
Conclusion
The report highlights the significant economic impact of cruise tourism in the Caribbean, with The Bahamas leading the way. The industry’s continued growth is a positive sign for the region’s economy and employment.
FAQs
Q: What is the total amount of cruise tourism expenditures in the wider region?
A: $4.27 billion
Q: Which country is the leader in cruise tourism expenditures in the region?
A: The Bahamas
Q: How many passengers and crew visited the Caribbean last season?
A: 33.3 million
Q: What is the average spend per passenger in the region?
A: $100 or more in 14 destinations