As parts of the Caribbean still not having put the woes behind it, modest ‘compensations’ are still forthcoming for some of the smaller, most vulnerable islands of a region in which there has been no shortage of crises this year. That said, some of the usually vulnerable islands of the region have had reason to smile recently in a year when the islands, along with other territories in the Caribbean got news that the Caribbean and Latin America has broken economic records insofar as earnings from tourism are concerned.
Antigua and Barbuda raked in a record $89 million in direct cruise tourism expenditures during the 2023-2024 cruise year, a performance which one report said, is “part of a historic surge across 33 Caribbean and Latin American destinations.” The report alludes to a new study by Business Research & Economic Advisors (BREA), commissioned by the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), which asserts that the region as a whole saw $4.27 billion in total cruise tourism expenditures—a 27% increase over the last study in 2018.
The aforementioned was reportedly released during the 30th annual FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show in Philipsburg, St. Maarten, highlighting that the economic impact of cruise tourism in Antigua and Barbuda was part of a broader trend and that more than 94,000 jobs were created throughout the region, contributing more than $1.27 billion in wage income. This development would have brought a considerable measure of comfort to territories in the region, including some that might have had to endure the effects of Hurricane Beryl.
Cruise passenger spending also saw substantial growth, with destinations welcoming 29.4 million onshore visits. In Antigua and Barbuda, reportedly, passengers spent an average of $104.36 per visit, contributing to the $89 million in total spending. Crew visits added to the economic boost, with 3.9 million onshore visits across the region, generating $229.5 million. Some of the key regional findings from the study include:
• $4.27 billion in direct cruise tourism expenditures across 33 destinations.
• 94,027 jobs supported by the industry, with $1.27 billion in wages.
Overall, these ‘numbers’ reportedly represented a 13% increase in passenger and crew visits compared to the previous study. The FCCA reportedly praised the declared results, emphasizing the importance of cruise tourism in supporting local economies. Michele Paige, CEO of FCCA, remarked, “These findings reflect the growing success of cruise tourism, not just for the cruise lines but for the communities that benefit from this industry.” The report also made the point that “while the direct benefits of cruise tourism were significant, additional economic advantages, such as supplies purchased by local tour operators and potential return visits from passengers as stay-over tourists, were not fully measured in this study.” The studies also underline the important role which cruise tourism plays in driving economic growth, employment, and investment. As the region continues to recover and build from the challenges of recent years, this surge in cruise activity marks a positive turn for tourism and local economies.
