PAJ signals increased cruise-passenger arrivals for 2011-2012 winter season

The Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) has signalled a booming start to the 2011-2012 winter season which began seven weeks ago, evidenced in the increase in cruise-passenger arrivals being experienced at all ports islandwide. Already this year, there is a 26 per cent growth in passenger-arrival numbers for the period April to October over the corresponding 2010 period.

The PAJ indicates that the growth is a result of intense marketing efforts of the PAJ via its Cruise Jamaica brand. Marketing initiatives are aimed at attracting new cruise lines to our ports and creating the environment to promote the return of lines which had called on our ports in the past. Fittingly, PAJ executives were participants in an official welcoming ceremony hosted by the Mariner of the Seas recently. As the season gets further under way, there will be similar receptions held as the ports continue to receive new ships.

William Tatham, vice-president, cruise shipping and marina operations at the PAJ, has stated that "the Port Authority will continue to pursue growth by aggressively marketing and leveraging our competitive advantage through our Cruise Jamaica brand at cruise industry shows, planned interactions with industry partners and via specific campaign advertising."

He added: "In addition to our ongoing regular ship calls from Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, our seasonal cruise partners have begun their winter calls, which include: out of the United States - Princess Cruises and Holland Cruise Lines; out of Italy - MSC Cruises and Costa Cruises; out of the United Kingdom - P&O Cruises and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. Norwegian Cruise Lines out of the US will also return this season after a six-year absence. These cruise lines are companies which the PAJ has developed close professional relationships with over the years, in order to sustain our business and enhance our operations.

Noel Hylton, president and CEO, PAJ, has underscored the significant impact the newly launched Historic Port of Falmouth has had on the increase in cruise-ship passenger arrivals, and projects a significant growth in arrivals in the next three years as a result. This new port is the largest purpose-designed cruise port in the Caribbean, and was specifically designed to facilitate the largest cruise ship in the world, the Oasis of the Seas.

Since the opening of the Historic Port of Falmouth in February of this year, it has been recognised as the 'Port of the Year' by the Sea Trade Insider Awards held in Hamburg in September, and the 'Caribbean Leading Tourism Development', at the World Travel Awards in October.