A delegation made up of tour operators, representatives of the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism, the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Communications were present at the event held in Miami
This world event for the cruise industry has brought together buyers, suppliers and cruise line executives from more than 118 countries where participants will connect with professionals in the segment and has 477 exhibitors. It has also given the opportunity to update on the operation of post-covid cruises, as part of the return to the new normal.
By way of background, in the second quarter of the previous year, the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) relaxed the requirements for traveling on cruise ships, after this sector was stopped by the global health situation.
Thus, Guatemala's participation in this fair is in line with Guatemala's Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism 2015-2025, which facilitates communication with cruise lines, which schedule their routes two years before they take carried out, which is why it is important that negotiations and rapprochements take place well in advance.
The General Director of INGUAT, Anayansy Rodríguez pointed out "For our country it is important to reposition itself in this segment, taking into account Guatemala's potential for receiving cruise ships and the economic spillover that is generated around them."
According to data from the Department of Market Research and Analysis of INGUAT, in the 2018-2019 season, 136,548 passengers arrived, with an average expenditure of US$209.80 and which generated an economic benefit of US$15.75 million.
In the reactivation of cruises for Guatemala in this 2021-2022 season, 33 cruise ships have been received in both ports with more than 17,000 passengers and 18,000 crew members.
INGUAT is currently part of the People of the Sea Board, which monitors the law that seeks to place Guatemalans as human resources on cruise ships and in the world merchant marine. As part of this, the institution has been a facilitator and liaison with the cruise lines that belong to the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association -FCCA-.