Enero 19, 2023

·  A 2022 to remember

The Cartagena Cruise Terminal closed 2022 with record-breaking numbers.  From January 2 to December 31, 2022, Cartagena received a total of 167,711 passengers, with 123 trips and an estimated economic impact of more than US $27 million.  The end of the year was phenomenal, and in December, there were 33 arrivals at port, with 84,091 visitors, which led to an economic impact of nearly US $10 million.

January, a good start

Passenger ships continued arriving at the Cartagena Cruise Terminal, and tourists had the opportunity to marvel at the city’s different tourist attractions. 

This year the cruise activity started in January with the arrival of 38 cruise ships and more than 104,819 visitors, generating an economic impact of close to US $12 million.

One of January’s highlights was the inaugural arrival of the cruise ship Evrima, which belongs to the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, arriving with 298 passengers and 246 crew members, to spend the night of January 10 in the city.   This cruise ship is considered one of the most luxurious in the world. Not only does it adorn our docks, but it also allows more cruise passengers to enjoy the beautiful city of Cartagena.

The first month of 2023 closed on a high, receiving multiple arrivals at port on January 31, with four beautiful cruise ships from different cruise lines.  These include the MSC Divina, with a capacity for 3,959 passengers and 1,370 crew members. The Zaandam, from Holland America, which can accommodate 1,805 passengers and 620 crew members.

The Eurodam, also from Holland America, with a capacity for 2,671 passengers and 812 crew members, and the Star Legend, from Windstar Cruises, with capacity for 212 passengers and 140 crew members.

What's going on?

February is scheduled to continue at this pace, with a slightly downward curve, receiving 27 cruise ships. Since February is a shorter month, this decline is to be expected. However, there are 9 multiple arrivals at port scheduled for February, with an estimated 50,509 visitors, generating an economic impact for the city of US $7,776,449.85 as stipulated by the BREA (Business Research and Economic Advisors) study, which indicates that each cruise passenger spends an average of US $122 in our city (and US $70 for each crew member) on various products and services, including transportation, guides, food, beverages, souvenirs, and others. 

FCCA PAMAC Cruise Virgin Voyages Experience (Jan 25-29, 2023)

As Platinum Members of  the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association we participated in this experience aboard Virgin's Scarlet Lady. During these days we exchanged ideas and shared strategies as we strengthened our relationships with destination partners and cruise executives. We shared with members from the Caribbean, Central America, South America and Mexico. 

The FCCA is a not-for-profit trade organization composed of 23 member cruise lines operating nearly 200 vessels in Floridian, Caribbean and Latin American waters. Created in 1972, the FCCA’s mandate is to provide a forum for discussion on tourism development, ports, safety, security and other cruise industry issues. By fostering an understanding of the cruise industry and its operating practices, the FCCA seeks to build cooperative relationships with its partner destinations and to develop productive bilateral partnerships with every sector. The FCCA works with governments, ports and all private/public sector representatives to maximize cruise passenger, cruise line and cruise line employee spending, as well as enhancing the destination experience and the amount of cruise passengers returning as stay-over visitors. Learn more.

The most beautiful handicrafts in Colombia

For the month of January, Cartagena was filled with Colombia’s most impressive handicraft fairs.  One of them is Farex, the Export Handicrafts Fair (Feria de Artesanías de Exportación), where artisans supported by the Puerto de Cartagena Group were able to exhibit and sell their products.  The good news for all our visitors is that those same products can be found throughout the year at the Terminal’s Casa Cruceros.  Visit the catalog at this link https://portoasiscartagena.com/ and fall in love with 100% Colombian products.  

Port Oasis EcoPark - Today the Blue-billed Curassow

As you know, the Cartagena Cruise Terminal has an eco-park with more than 700 animals of 70 different species, known especially for being home to various types of birds tourists can see as they pass through.

Our special guest this month is the Blue-billed Currassow, a critically endangered species that has been welcomed to this animal sanctuary in hopes of protecting it. Here at the EcoPark, research projects are being developed to encourage its reproduction and help remove it from the critically endangered list.

In Spanish, it is also known as the pavón piquiazul, pavón colombiano, hocco piguiazul, muitú de pico azul, and opón. It is a species of galliform bird, endemic to northern Colombia.

MONEY EXCHANGE

Tourists will are able to exchange their money into the local currency before leaving the
Terminal and will be able to exchange their left-over pesos upon their return.

A place to discover

·  Cartagena, the third most desired city by tourists in the world

“Cartagena continues to surprise, and this time it was chosen by the readers of the Wanderlust Travel Awards magazine, one of the most prestigious international travel publications, as the third most desired city by international tourists, after receiving the bronze award, surpassing to world-class destinations such as Singapore, Rio de Janeiro, Montreal and Melbourne.

The award was given during the awards gala that took place on November 8 in London, within the World Travel Market London (WTM), one of the largest tourism fairs in the world.” 

Find complete information and more about Cartagena at:

https://cartagenadeindias.travel/blog/cartagena-la-tercera-ciudad-mas-deseada-por-los-turistas-del-mundo/

Ready, set, RUN! Media Maratón del Mar 2023 started from Port of Cartagena

One of the most awaited races by the fans is the Media Maratón del Mar because of the incredible landscapes offered by the city of Cartagena and the special start that is given in front of the majestic bay of this city between ships, docks, containers and cranes of the Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Cartagena.

A new edition of this event, sponsored by the Port of Cartagena Group and organized by MCM Operador de Eventos, the company that created the Medellín Marathon, and MOTIVVA Sport Logistics, was held on February 12 with three 5K, 10K and 21K courses. 

The athletic event had the participation of more than six thousand runners. We were ready for the event with a coordinated logistics.

This sports festival was attended by running enthusiasts from 24 countries in the Americas and Europe, and 161 cities in 27 Colombian departments; it also generated hundreds of direct and indirect jobs and benefited commerce and the city's image as a sports destination. Learn more.

JANUARY CRUISE FIGURES

 Arrivals to port: 38

 Passengers: 71,796

 Crew members: 33,023

 Visitors: 104.819