The cruise line Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Corporation are reviewing security measures implemented on the island with the government.
Reinforcing the image of the destination and defining a new security strategy for the Island of Roatan, including the recommendations of security directors of the three largest cruise lines in the world is the goal of the meeting between these businesses and the national authorities on security and tourism.
Cruise ship company Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), announced that it won’t include Guatemala in its upcoming season.
This implies the loss of 24.000 tourists next season (Oct/2010 – May/2011). Guillermo Novielli, sub director of the Guatemalan Tourism Institute, stated they will talk with the company to determine the cause of this decision.
The ship, owner by U.S cruise ship company NCL, has included the port of Roatán in its Mexican route.
Epic will dock at Roatán on July, carrying 4.200 passengers.
“During their stay in the island of Roatan, tourists spend an average $70 in excursions, $54 in crafts, $72 in entertainment and $45 in transportation”, reported Elheraldo.hn.
With an investment of $70 million, the construction of the Carnival’s cruise terminal on the island of Roatán is 80% complete.
The developers of Carnival’s pier hope to finish the Project by September.
According to Laprensahn.com, “The Project–which covers 75,000 square feet, includes a commercial area being built to quality specifications that enable it to withstand earthquakes and hurricanes-was visited by international representatives of the cruise industry that have been on the island since the weekend with the purpose of attending the meeting of the Federation of Cruise Lines of the Caribbean and Florida, FCCA.
Norwegian Cruise Line conditioned the arrival of its cruise ships to the country on whether the Government continues to insist on charging the $10 departure tax for each tourist.
Prensalibre.com reports that "The company is threatening to take its 27 ships, which it was planning to bring to Guatemala this year, to other countries. It is also recommending that the world meeting of cruise ships not take place in Guatemala. Roberto Robles, director of the Guatemalan Tourism Institute (Inguat), confirmed that they will not eliminate the aforementioned tax charge, since it is established by the organic law of the entity."
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