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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Bahamas Information Services Updates
The event was marked by an onboard reception at the Nassau Harbour. According to Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Tourism David Johnson, the new cruise will boost the tourism product.
“I’d like to thank the management of the Celebration Cruise Line for its entrance to The Bahamas,” he said. “The importance of this particular venture for us is that with its three times weekly sailing to Nassau, that means an annual contribution of 78,000 to 80,000 passengers and about $5 million in expenditure at the current level.”
Mr. Johnson added that the Ministry of Tourism and the Government of The Bahamas are committed to make visiting The Bahamas a great experience for visitors.
“We are going forward with upgrading and expanding the experience in downtown Nassau through the redevelopment plan. With that, we are convinced that this experience will improve significantly and the expenditure will also increase.”
Mr. Johnson added that the arrival of The Bahamas Celebration gives Bahamians the opportunity to tap into this market because passengers would be anxious to disembark and explore Nassau, giving Bahamians an opportunity to sell their products.
Glenn Ryerson, vice president of marketing for Celebration Cruise Line said, “With about 3,000 passengers coming to Nassau on a weekly basis, this is a great opportunity for The Bahamas,” said Ryerson. “It also gives Bahamians the opportunity to travel to Florida on the return leg of the journey.”
Celebration Cruise Line officially began operations out of Port Everglades with its inaugural voyage of the
Bahamas Celebration on March 16.
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