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Groundbreaking Contract Nets 500,000 Cruise Passengers Annually

February 13, 2004

The Full Story

There will be 500,000 cruise passengers to the island annually, guaranteed. This is as a result of a five-year facility Fee Agreement. Valued at US$17.75 million the agreement was signed by Minister of Transport and Works, Robert Pickersgill with the Port Authority of Jamaica and Carnival Cruise Lines at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.
“This contract is therefore groundbreaking in more ways than one because it enables the Authority to have a more specific focus and handle on the planning process for the expansion of the sector,” the Transport Minister said, adding, “Today, Carnival Corporation, which is a global cruise company and one of the largest vacation companies in the world, has demonstrated its commitment to Jamaica with the signing of this agreement”.
The contract also guarantees that 80,000 visitors will call at the port of Montego Bay. The contract value figure referred to revenues such as user fees accruing to the Authority and was not representative of the Expenditures by passengers having arrived in Jamaica.
The growth of cruise shipping has risen steadily and has boosted the tourism industry. Last year, a record 1.1 million cruise ship visitors came to Jamaica last year and the island also welcomed its one millionth cruise passenger to the island in December.With the implementation of the contract, there will be additional opportunities and spin-offs for tourist attractions, as well as the transportation sector.
“We are confident that this venture will contribute significantly to the growth of cruise shipping and the positive contribution of the sector to advancing the country’s economic development,” Mr. Pickersgill stated, noting that this was the first contract being entered into by Jamaica with a cruise shipping line which guaranteed delivery of the magnitude of cruise ship passengers set out in the contract.
Senior Vice President of Operations at Carnival Cruise Lines, Brendan Corrigan also expressed pleasure with the agreement “I think this will benefit Jamaica. It makes the future of Jamaica all the more encouraging. You will see that entrepreneurs can go ahead and invest in attractions which will make this country the prime location that not only cruise ship passengers want to go to, but other guests also,” he said.
Mr. Pickersgill assured that for its part, Government, through the Port Authority was committed to pursuing all responsible measures in order to realize the full potential of the contract and Jamaica’s cruise shipping industry

Last Updated: February 13, 2004

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