Mexico has seen a substantial growth of cruise ship passengers around the country already this year, beating forecast figures.
According to Ruth Leal, director of Princess Cruises Latin America, Mexico has seen a growth of 10.3 percent in cruise passengers and a 4.0 percent increase in the number of ships, exceeding 2018 figures. He says that they expect that level of growth to be maintained and possibly even grow.
In the first quarter of this year, Leal says that more than 2.7 million cruise passengers have already docked around Mexico’s ports, a 10.3 percent increase over the same quarter as last year. He reported that already this year, 935 ships have sailed into Mexican ports, securing confidence in the country’s cruise industry.
Data from la Dirección de Puertos y Marina Mercante de la Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes also shows an increase in the arrival of recreational boats into Mexico, particularly in the Pacific.
Leal says that the appeal to travel by boat has become very attractive for tourists since prices are not excessive and cruises are all-inclusive.
He says that as for Princess Cruises, they have plans for six new ships of which three of the Royal class will set sail for Mexico.