Minister Hon. Ingrid Arrindell of the Ministry Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT), who was unable to attend Seatrade Cruise Global in Florida, last week due to the 2016 Budget discussions, was represented by her Chef de Cabinet Alex Dijkhoffz.
Dijkhoffz was part of the Port St. Maarten delegation that traveled to represent the destination at the leading annual global business-to-business event for the cruise industry, which brings together buyers and suppliers for a four-day conference and three-day exhibition.
Minister Arrindell was very pleased to hear about the successes booked by Port St. Maarten under the leadership of its Chief Executive Officer Mark Mingo and his team at the cruise conference, such as becoming the homeport for Seabourn Cruises in December and for the Pullmantur Group, also for the start of the 2016-2017 cruise season.
Seabourn Cruises is a luxury cruise line that caters to high-end cruise passengers. The cruise line pioneered small-ship, ultra-luxury cruising, and continues to represent the pinnacle of that unique style of travel. Its fleet of intimate, all-suite ships, carrying between 450 and 600 guests each, sail to the world’s most desirable destinations at their peak seasons.
The Pullmantur Group will start homeporting in the latter part of 2016, and develop this business into a year-round service. This group focuses on cruise customers from Latin America and Europe. The vessels used carry approximately 1800 cruise passengers and 450-crew which would translate into approximately 25,000 additional visitors to the destination.
“The clientele from Seabourn Cruises are high-end tourists. Many of them usually arrive at the homeport destination in a private jet. This will mean more business activity for our airport. Prior to boarding the cruise ship, homeport tourists stay in a hotel two days prior to their cruise and two days after they return. This would translate into additional economic activity for various businesses.
“The Pullmantur Group is another significant boost for the destination as it will add additional tourists and business for the tourism and hospitality sector. It also serves part of the diversification of visitors to our island with respect to Latin American and European visitors.
“This will translate into a significant impact on our economy with spinoffs for transportation services, vessel provisioning from our food and beverage wholesalers; fueling services; hotels and villa rentals; as well as air transportation to the destination,” Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs Ingrid Arrindell said on Wednesday after being briefed by her Chef de Cabinet about the success of the trip to Seatrade Cruise Global conference that concluded last week.
The conference drew more than 11,000 registered attendees, over 800 exhibiting companies from 93 countries and more than 300 international journalists to the Fort Lauderdale Broward Country Convention Center.