Mike Maura Jr. Photo: Internet Source

Mike Maura Jr told Eyewitness News that there are definitely “opportunities ahead” to capitalize on this nation’s resurgent cruise segment, with a more than $400 million per annum economic injection possible via an increase in cruise passenger spending.

“On Sunday we had another six ship day and we had 26,396 passengers arrive on those ships which was a fantastic feat,” he said.

“We’ve never hit that number before. That obviously is a monumental increase over historic daily passenger levels of 2019 which in itself was a record. Over the last couple of weeks we had two days of 25,000 passengers,” said Maura.

He continued: “Half of the battle is getting the passengers to arrive on these ships. The other half is getting them off the ships and giving them something to do. I look at each passenger as an opportunity, not just an opportunity to purchase something in New Providence but also to take a valued story or experience back home with them.

“It’s disappointing that today we just don’t have enough for these 26,000 people to do in and around New Providence. The glass is definitely half full if you look at all of our heritage sites. It wouldn’t take much to create a wonderful experience, giving these visitors a wonderful opportunity to see our history and culture and pay for it at the same time. We definitely have  opportunities ahead and smart Bahamian minds who I am sure can come up with some creative new experiences for these guests to enjoy while they are here in Nassau.”

Maura noted that the data from the Ministry of Tourism suggests that the average passenger spends about $100 during their daily visit to Nassau.

“We had the potential for taxi driver, hair braiders, retailers, and everyone else to collectively earn about $2.6 million. If we had been able to achieve the second that St Thomas and St Maarten now which is approximately another incremental $100. There would have been an additional$2.6 million spend for $5.2 million,” he said.

“That additional $2.6 million is being spent in other ports. We have to get our passenger spend at the same level as our competitors and we estimate that we would have an incremental injection of over $400 million a year.”