The St Kitts and Nevis government has announced the completion of the twin islands’ new cruise pier at Port Zante. With the opening of the port’s second pier, Port Zante, located in Basseterre, St Kitts, can now simultaneously host up to three of the world’s largest cruise ships.
With a resident population of just 55,000, this tiny island can now claim the marquee status held by many of the region’s larger passenger cruise-ship destinations. It’s a prudent expansion, considering that the islands have welcomed one million passengers during each of the past two cruise seasons - a milestone visitor volume for the diminutive destination.
The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association which met with officials in St Kitts and Nevis last week to discuss further development of the country’s cruise sector, believes that these islands will soon become the Caribbean destination where cruise-goers choose to spend the most money. According to FCCA’s president, Michele Paige, her organisation estimates that this could become a reality with the next three years.
The $48-million port expansion project was financed through local sources, with $US5 million coming from the country’s Citizenship by Investment Program, which has proven highly successful in raising foreign direct investment.
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