Cruise Visitors Definitely Spending Less in Antigua & Barbuda

Antigua & Barbuda is earning about $4 million less annually from cruise ship visitors than it did three years ago, the latest report released by the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) has found.

The report, compiled on behalf of the FCCA, based its findings on surveys from passengers and crew members and information from officials on Antigua.

President of the Cruise Tourism Association Nathan Dundas said the report, released in November, estimates that $39 million is spent each year by passengers, confirming previous statements about a drop in spending by cruise visitors.

However, he said the country has fared comparatively well within the Caribbean, given the move to the Mediterranean by cruise lines.

Dundas said the Caribbean Tourism Organization needs to give consideration to a cruise tourism policy to clearly define land-based and cruise tourism. Meantime, General Manager of the Antigua Hotels & Tourist Association Neil Forrester said hotel occupancy for this year’s winter season is on par with last year's.