by Brian Major
Last updated: 2:00 PM ET, Fri November 10, 2023
Colombia is expected to achieve “significant growth” in its
cruise sector during the 2023-2024 season, according to officials at
ProColombia, the country’s tourism promotion agency.
Data from Colombia port authorities report the destination
will host 220 ship calls from 30 cruise lines from the United States, Norway,
the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany and Monaco in the coming months.
The vessels, including ships operated by Royal Caribbean
International, Princess, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line,
Celebrity Cruises and MSC Cruises, will carry 334,000 passengers to Colombian
ports through June of 2024.
The deployments will have an economic impact of “close to $50 million,” ProColombia
officials said in a statement. The itineraries will “be essential for showing
international travelers emerging destinations within the Colombian territory.”
Cruise ships will call at the Caribbean coast cities of
Cartagena, Santa Marta, and at the Pacific Ocean port city of Buenaventura
during the 2023-2024 season, officials said.
Additionally, “efforts are being coordinated with local
communities and authorities” in Cabo de la Vela, a Caribbean coast city on the
La Guajira peninsula, to “initiate a plan to receive four cruise [ships] from
Emerald Cruises, Noble Caledonia and Hurtigruten during the first half of
2024,” ProColombia officials said.
"This achievement is the result of [ProColombia’s]
strategy to explore and promote non-traditional destinations that are emerging
as hidden gems with immense potential to captivate and enchant cruise
passengers,” said Carmen Caballero, the agency’s president.
“This commitment confirms our dedication to diversification
and innovation in the cruise industry,” added Caballero, “offering travelers
unforgettable experiences in places that have not yet been fully discovered.”
Colombia achieved significant year-over-year cruise
passenger growth last year, as cruise vessel arrivals increased by 151 percent,
while cruise passenger arrivals grew by 346 percent increase, according to ProColombia data drawn from port
records in cities that hosted cruise calls and the General Maritime Directorate
agency.
Last year also saw the establishment of new Colombian
cruise ship calls in the Caribbean coastal locations of Sapzurro, Capurganá and
the Gulf of Morrosquillo, officials said.
Earlier this month, Colombia’s Ministry of Trade, Industry
and Tourism launched a promotional campaign featuring the slogan “Colombia, the
Country of Beauty,” in recognition of the South American nation’s exceptional
natural environment.
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