Page 35 - IAADFS Summit of the Americas 2025 Special Issue

INSIDER

5.6 million cruise visitors in 2024, the
destination has demonstrated its resilience
and ability to thrive amidst an increasingly
competitive tourism industry, say port
officials.
As the largest and busiest transit
cruise port in the region, NCP continues
to serve as a cornerstone of The Bahamas’
tourism sector. In 2024, The Bahamas
welcomed approximately 9.1 million
visitors, with 61% of them—approximately
5.6 million—arriving via cruise ships that
sailed into Nassau Cruise Port.
This surge in visitors contributes
directly to approximately $2.6 billion in
Among the ships docked at Antigua Cruise Port at the end of December were the
Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Breakaway from Norwegian Cruise Line, Arvia from annual tourism revenues for the nation,
P&O Cruises, and the elegant Emerald Azzurra. Arvia and Emerald Azzurra are creating a ripple effect across a wide range
homeporting at Antigua’s Heritage Quay. of industries. Local businesses, from
retailers and restaurants to tour operators
and artisans, continue to benefit from the
a record-breaking year. At year-end, the The new port will also have brand- influx of cruise passengers. The expansion
port had received 570 cruise ship calls and new retail and food and beverage facilities, and modernization of NCP have also
825,526 passengers for the year compared and commercial space to be leased to led to increased demand for workforce
to 446 cruise ship calls and 670,234 local entrepreneurs. Antigua Cruise Port development, helping to provide jobs in
passengers in 2023, a 27% increase in launched operations in October 2019. both established sectors and emerging
ship calls and a 23% increase in passenger industries.
arrivals year-over-year. Nassau Cruise Port: Second Nassau Cruise Port has ambitious
Located in St. John’s harbor, Antigua consecutive year of record growth fuels plans for further expansion and
Cruise Port serves more than 800,000 local economic prosperity improvement. New developments include
passengers annually. The port is being Nassau Cruise Port (NCP) welcomed enhanced facilities which ease transport
redeveloped under the Antigua Cruise Port 5.6 million cruise passengers in 2024. of guests to areas of interest throughout
Development Project through a 30-year This marks the second consecutive year New Providence, recreational family-
lease agreement between the Government of record-breaking growth for the port, oriented experiences, dining options, and
of Antigua & Barbuda and Global Ports underscoring the global demand for sustainable practices, and are designed to
Holding. In late 2020, Antigua Cruise Port Bahamian travel experiences and the port’s enhance the visitor experience and further
completed construction of its fifth berth, expanding role in the country’s economic elevate the port’s status as one of the
a 700 ft. pier that can accommodate the development. leading cruise hubs in the region.
biggest ships in the industry, making it In 2023, Nassau Cruise Port welcomed The new Nassau Cruise Port (NCP)
possible for the port to serve as many as 4.4 million passengers, surpassing the includes six new and expanded berths to
one million passengers per year. previous year’s total of 3.2 million. With accommodate the largest cruise ships in
the world, a 700-foot mega yacht berth, a
new marina, and a new water excursion
and ferry terminal. The recently upgraded
$300 million waterfront features over sixty
retail stores including new food & beverage
outlets, the Bahamas Museum of Junkanoo,
a wine bar & art gallery, and a 3,000-person
amphitheater that currently features top
Bahamian and international entertainment.
Other notable changes include the addition
of an iconic new arrivals terminal, new
outposts for the Royal Bahamas Police
Force and the Royal Bahamas Defense
Force, a new Ground Transportation Area
to support taxi and tour operations, a hair
braiders pavilion, and a signature event
space overlooking the harbor. NCP began
operations in October 2019 as part of a
consortium including Global Ports Holding
Plc, the Bahamas Investment Fund (“BIF”)
More than 5.6 million passengers made incredible memories at Nassau Cruise Port in 2024. and the Yes Foundation.

35 March 2025 Summit of the Americas