GENERAL MANAGER of Cruise Shipping at the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), William Tatham, has said the local cruise ship industry "is not in crisis", but was going through a transition, brought on by developments in the international cruise ship industry. Among the developments the Cruise Ship Manager cited, were a growing number of port of calls in the Western Caribbean cruise ship route and a change in the traditional cruise ship itinerary, which moved from the usual seven-night cruise to 12 to 14 days and 2-3 night cruise.
Reporting on the performance of the industry in a recent interview, Mr. Tatham said at the end of 2000, the cruise ship industry would have seen a record year and a similar performance was expected next year. Latest JTB statistics show that between January and August, 2000, there were 341 cruise ship calls, with a total of 609,484 passengers, compared to 329 and 499,701 respectively during the same period in 1999.
However, the General Manager said gray areas might emerge in the 2002/2003 period when a number of new ports were slated to come on stream in Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica and Panama. He also mentioned the new Key West in Florida, which was becoming a popular port of call.
Mr. Tatham, who was among the officials to welcome Carnival Victory the newest ship of the Carnival Cruise Line on its inaugural call to Jamaica recently, explained that Jamaican ports, would face stiffer competition when these new ports were completed and would have to position themselves to compete effectively.
Observing that Jamaica had the potential to offer more than the new ports, Mr. Tatham said the present challenge was for the country to make necessary adjustments to hold its own, particularly as it relates to infrastructural improvement and enhancing current facilities and creating new attractions for visitors.
The JTB official said the process had already started and initiatives were underway to improve local port infrastructure and boost attractions. He mentioned improvements to the Ocho Rios Pier, which is still by far the most preferred port of call in the island. He said the recent facelift had resulted in a marked reduction in the level of complaints and an increase in compliments from visitors.
Turning to the recent arrival of Carnival Victory, He said this sent a strong signal that cruise lines were confident in Jamaica as a port of call. The 102,000-ton Carnival Victory, which is capable of accommodating 2,758 passengers, is scheduled to call on Ocho Rios every fortnight from its base in Miami, Florida.
Mentioning the relocation of Princess Cruise Line's "Sea Princess", Mr. Tatham said this would not have a significant negative impact on the local industry. It was recently reported that the Line would also have another vessel, "Crown Princess" calling on Jamaica on a 10-night itinerary.
