Scarlet Lady by Virgin Voyages made its inaugural stop on Grand Turk in August Photo Credit Ministry of Tourism, Turks & Caicos Islands

IN TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS, CRUISE ARRIVALS ARE ON A ROLL

In Grand Turk, Big Boat Cruising is Big Business

Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands (Oct. 2023) – In the Turks and Caicos Islands, Grand Turk shines with impressive cruise tourism numbers for the first 6 months of 2023. www.visittci.com/ During the first half of the year, Grand Turk welcomed an impressive 143 ships, reflecting a 10.9% increase from the same timeframe in the previous year. A notable 491,806 cruise passengers set foot on its beautiful shores, marking a significant 51.7% increase in visits. Highlighted below are figures from top source markets for the first six months of 2023:

USA: USA continues to dominate as the principal source market, accounting for an impressive 444,832 cruise arrivals. This statistic marks an extraordinary 90.45 percent surge, compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.

Canada: Canada, a critical source market, recorded 27,228 passengers during the initial half of 2023, reflecting a 5.54 percent rise in cruise arrivals.

The United Kingdom: Contributing to the global influx, this market added 6,873 cruise arrivals, indicating a solid 1.40 percent growth from the previous year.

South America: Witnessing an 11 percent increase in arrivals, South America registered 2,360 cruise guests during the reported period.

Carnival Venezia made its first stop on Grand Turk in June Photo Credit Ministry of Tourism, Turks & Caicos Islands

The Caribbean: An impressive uptick was observed in the Caribbean market, with a 29 percent growth rate, amounting to 1,466 passengers in the first half of 2023.

Further elevating Grand Turk’s stature, two cruise ships made their inaugural stops in Grand Turk: The Carnival Venezia, a Vista-Class cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line on June 23rd, and the exclusive adult-only ship, Scarlet Lady by Virgin Voyages, on August 20th, carrying an enthusiastic group of 2,778 passengers.
Minister of Tourism, Hon. Josephine Connolly, expressed her sentiments: “The growth observed in the early months of 2023 emphasizes the allure of the island of Grand Turk as a prime cruise destination. This achievement mirrors the combined efforts of the devoted community, enterprising businesses, and the entire cruise sector. We are all committed to crafting unforgettable moments for visitors while safeguarding the island’s natural and cultural treasures.”