POINTE BLANCHE:--- A delegation headed by Commissioner of Port Affairs Theo Heyliger, will be leaving the island on Friday for Seatrade Cruise Shipping Miami Conference.The conference that kicks off on March 16 and runs through March 19 at the Miami Beach Convention Center will cover the state of the cruise industry with a focus on current global economic challenges and how this is impacting the industry.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Mingo of the St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies says that the Port of St. Maarten is very interested in learning how the cruise industry is dealing with the global financial-economic crisis.
"We would like to know how the impact is affecting our cruise partners and we will also discuss how the global challenge is impacting the business at the harbour. As a port, we also have to look at new avenues for revenue increasing business.
"Even though this is a major challenge unheard of since the 1930s, the harbour will continue to market the island as a cruise destination. All businesses have to adjust, but must maintain focus and look forward with confidence as the world economy will make a comeback.
"The various representatives of the harbour which also includes Supervisory Board Chairman Michel Soons, will be updating the cruise industry about the progress being made with our expansion project and the start of new projects such as the Downtown Jetty," stated CEO Mark Mingo of the St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies on Wednesday.
Mingo adds that he is very pleased to learn that the two biggest cruise lines, Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL) have reported strong cruise bookings.
Carnival Cruise Line reported that for the one-week period ended march 1, 2009, the company reported the highest number of net weekly bookings in its history. Additionally, on a cumulative basis since mid-January, net bookings are up 10 per cent compared to the same period in 2008, although pricing is at lower levels.
RCCL has reported booking levels up by 40 per cent year-on-year during the January-February ‘Wave' peak booking period. This has been based on keen pricing, added value offers and high profile advertising.
RCCL has also noticed that there has been no noticeable shift towards late booking or any increased trend in cancellations due to the global recession.
