ST JAMES, Jamaica (JIS) — Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett is confident of further growth in cruise-passenger arrivals, following a meeting with officials of the powerful Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) in Miami on December 16.

In describing the meeting as a tremendous success, Bartlett said it further underscored Jamaica’s emerging status as a preferred cruise destination.

He said the delegation, led by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, and which included Director of Tourism Paul Pennicook and Chairman of the National Cruise Council, Michael Belnavis, went with a simple message of assuring the cruise lines that destination Jamaica will be a “safe, secure and seamless” experience.

“We went there with a mission to sensitise the cruise lines on the need for more port expansion… berthing spaces, etc. We also wanted to hear first-hand what it is that we have to do to attract more vessels and the possibility of having more berthing spaces at our ports,” he added.

Bartlett said the chairman of Carnival, the world’s biggest cruise company, Micky Arison, expressed pleasure at the presence of the prime minister at the meeting and said “how important it is to have and feel that level of commitment coming from the very top”.

He noted that there were commendations from cruise officials on the positive direction of Jamaica’s tourism sector and its willingness to engage with international travel partners.

“The prime minister himself, reassured them of our commitment to cruise shipping and pointed out to FCCA officials that tourism is indeed Jamaica’s oil and a major national asset,” he told JIS News.

He noted that the Falmouth Port, in particular, has been well received and is in line to attract all the major mega liners.

“The fact that some other destinations do not have existing port facilities and have to tender their ships, bode well for our future,” he pointed out.

The minister, in the meantime, pointed to the need to increase the cruise spend from the current US$119 per person, noting that there is no reason why it cannot be doubled.

 “The first thing we have to do is to improve on the experience of the visitor,” he said.

 “We also have to ensure that we have a lot more of them coming off the ship to go out and interact. This way, we get them to enjoy the Jamaican experience and our people can earn more. We have to provide that quality experience where they will spend their money here as opposed to spending it in other destinations,” he noted further.

For his part, Belnavis said the meeting was also an opportunity for the National Cruise Council to get on familiar footing with the FCCA and ensure that the lines of communication are open for future discussions.

 “FCCA President, Michele Paige, reaffirmed her organization’s commitment to working with us and to assist Jamaica in maintaining its status as a preferred cruise destination,” Belnavis said.

 “I fully enjoyed the rapport and feel really good knowing that we are working with responsible and committed people, who see Jamaica as having the potential to be the number-one cruise destination in the region,” he added.