The Cruise Industry: trapped in hackneyed remainders

When it comes to outlining a public policy oriented to tidy up and energize Mexico’s cruise tourism, the government is to take due account of old-timed hurdles that stand in the way to the development of that industry in the country and boil down to a heavy glut in a the market, lack of specialized infrastructure, scarce or no air and ground connections at all, as well as poor relationships among the different authorities that regulate this kind of activity.

The decision seemingly popped up because the cruise sector was the only tourist segment that rose during the 2001-2002 season after enduing a severe downfall worldwide, El Universal newspaper reported.

From 1970 on, the cruise industry grew at a 9 percent yearly average, skyrocketing from 460,000 passengers in that same year to as many as 6.9 million trekkers in 2000.

Francisco Madrid, Mexico’s undersecretary of Tourist Promotion, explained his country is rapidly climbing to the top among cruise destinations. In the first third of 2003 –he went on to say- the number of incoming passengers was up 60 percent, meaning 2.8 million more travelers than in the first four months of 2002.

“The industry has many chances of growing stronger... and this is now a fact,” he said.

Nevertheless, Melchor Arellano Chavez, president of the Port and Maritime Association of Mexico, warns the industry’s development is grappling with huge shortages.

The first signs of hardships are surfacing in the ports. There –he says- the infrastructure is insufficient and services are disastrous. Acapulco is a case in point.