Development of the cruise industry was high on the agenda when Experience Turks and Caicos and the Ministry of Tourism attended the recently-held Seatrade Global Cruise Conference at the Miami Beach Convention Center from April 8th to 11th, 2024.
An annual event that brings together the world’s cruise lines, destinations, suppliers, stakeholders and executives, Seatrade provides a space for networking, discussions, insights on trends and new developments as well as forming partnerships. Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Josephine Connolly, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Mr. Wesley Clerveaux and Strategic Development Manager of Experience Turks and Caicos, Mr. Courtney Robinson, attended the conference. They engaged with Carnival Cruises, which operates the Grand Turk Cruise Center and participated in various discussions.
Minister Connolly said attendance at Seatrade is vital for the Turks and Caicos Islands, particularly for the economy of Grand Turk where the Cruise Center is located. “Cruise is very important to Grand Turk as it creates employment and opportunities for entrepreneurs. In 2023 we welcomed 924,250 cruise visitors and we look forward to increasing that number this year.
Experience Turks and Caicos is developing initiatives to enhance our visitor experience on the island to ensure we have a robust product to entice our cruise visitors and we will see that rolled out during the year ahead,” the Minister said. Mr. Robinson said as Strategic Development Manager for Experience Turks and Caicos, he learned a lot from the conference.
“Seatrade Cruise Global was a very engaging, thought-provoking and impactful conference. Through the course of the shows’ forums, panel discussions, scheduled meetings and networking with the various exhibitors, I was able to learn more about the current state of the cruise industry, emerging trends and technologies, along with sustainable and effective ways we at Experience Turks and Caicos can better position the destination to enhance our product offerings and create authentic enriching experiences that live on in the hearts and minds of cruisers, while supporting local vendor businesses and cruise partners,” he said.
In addition to Carnival’s fleet – Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Vista, Carnival Mardi Gras, Carnival Venezia, Carnival Magic, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Pride, Carnival Legend, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Sunshine - the Grand Turk Cruise port also welcomes Princess Cruises’ Enchanted Princess, Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady and Scarlet Lady, Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam Nieuw Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Eurodam, Evrima from the Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection, Costa Cruises’ Costa Pacifica, and Marella Cruises’ Marella Explorer 2. Recently, due to the unrest in Haiti, the Port has welcomes sailings from Royal Caribbean.