Last Updated on August 18, 2020, 10:56 AM AST by Anthony Morris
The partnership between the Ministry of Tourism in St. Kitts and Nevis and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines saw great successes in cruise arrivals before the COVID-19 pandemic, said, Hon. Lindsay Grant, the Minister of Tourism.
Minister Grant said during the Ministry of Tourism, Ports and Transportation Press Conference on August 17 that the partnership has resulted in one hundred per cent increase in cruise arrivals between 2015 and 2019.
He announced at the conference that two ships from Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines would dock on Wednesday, August 19, at Port Zante for an extended period of safe harbouring.
He said that his team at the Ministry of Tourism and SCASPA and the St. Kitts Tourism Authority had worked tirelessly over the past five years, with Royal Caribbean to strengthen their relationship and improve their partnership.
Minister Grant said that Royal Caribbean was a major contributor to their achievement of one million passengers on July 16 2018, and August 14 2019.
He added that it was taking this into consideration when the cruise line reached out to him and requested for safe harbouring of the Vision of the Seas and the Rhapsody of the Seas, and he took the matter to Cabinet for their review.
“Our partnerships are the reason for our significant achievements in cruise tourism and if we can assist while ensuring no risk to our citizens and our residents with our health and safety protocols to mitigate the COVID-19 I recommend that we do so,” said Minister Grant, while stating that “this assistance represents the true nature of our people to support others in a time of need. It is who we are.”
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
