PROVIDENCIALES — Cruise tourism in the Turks and Caicos Islands has reached new heights, generating an impressive US $116.1 million in economic impact during the 2023/2024 cruise season. 

According to a recent report by Business Research & Economic Advisors (BREA), titled ‘The Economic Contribution of Cruise Tourism to the Destination Economies,’ passenger and crew spending, combined with additional expenditures from the cruise lines and local businesses, helped to achieve the record-breaking revenue for the destination.

The BREA survey found that in the 2023/2024 cruise year, a total of 945,040 cruise passengers visited the Turks and Caicos Islands, with the majority (796,670 passengers, or 84%) disembarking at Grand Turk, the country’s main cruise port. In addition to passengers, 288,515 crew members were aboard visiting ships, with 30% (87,710 crew members) also choosing to explore Grand Turk.

The economic contribution from these visitors was substantial, directly supporting the employment of 1,197 local residents and providing $21.8 million in wages. The total spending from cruise tourism, including expenditures on shore excursions, food and beverages, and shopping, contributed significantly to the overall US $116.1 million figure.

Tourism Minister Josephine Connolly hailed the growth of the cruise industry as a major achievement, particularly for Grand Turk, which she described as the country’s “cruise capital.”

“This is fantastic news for Grand Turk and the Turks and Caicos Islands as a whole. The dedication of our taxi drivers, tour operators, vendors, and suppliers in Grand Turk has been key in enhancing the visitor experience and making the destination even more attractive to cruise passengers,” said Minister Connolly. “Their hard work and commitment are paying off, and we’re seeing the positive results in these record numbers.”

The report also revealed a 15% increase in passenger arrivals compared to the previous survey, conducted in the 2017/2018 period, signalling a growing popularity of the Turks and Caicos as a cruise stop.

To support this growth, the Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with Experience Turks and Caicos, has launched several initiatives aimed at improving the cruise visitor experience. These include the TIDES programme, which ensures local tourism providers are well-trained and able to offer high-quality service, and workshops in partnership with the Aquila Centre for Cruise Excellence. These efforts focus on enhancing the product offerings and developing new attractions, such as the “Taste of Turks and Caicos” culinary tour, which will debut on Nov. 7, 2024.

Minister Connolly added, “We’re working hard to ensure our tourism stakeholders are equipped with the knowledge and skills to elevate the cruise experience in the islands. The Taste of Turks and Caicos programme will give cruise passengers a taste of our local cuisine, which is one of the many exciting products we are developing to further engage visitors.”