Santo Domingo, Cruise Destination

Santo Domingo, Cruise Destination
Santo Domingo, 10/21/2010

Representatives from the main cruise lines that operate in the Caribbean and Latin America, jointly with other businesses in this sector, will meet in Santo Domingo from October 25-29 to jumpstart an initiative that will contribute to promoting the city as an attractive tourist destination for cruise ships from around the world.

“It is a privilege that Santo Domingo is hosting this great event. It gives us the opportunity to raise our category on the international front …”

The meeting, being held as part of the 17th Annual Cruise Conference & Trade Show of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Ship Association (FCCA) is being organized by the Tourism Ministry with the collaboration of Sans Soucí Port of Santo Domingo as host of the event. The main goal of the gathering is to analyze the tendencies of the sector, exchange opinions and discuss its needs with respect to ports, business operations and the development of the Dominican Republic within this area of the tourism industry.   

“It is a privilege that Santo Domingo is hosting this great event. It gives us the opportunity to raise our category on the international front to be involved in this unique activity that brings together those responsible for making the most strategic decisions for the fifteen cruise lines that make up the FCCA which represent 95% of the routes that travel around the Caribbean islands,” Luis Molina, executive director of the Sans Soucí Port, told a local newspaper.

 Molina said that this conclave holds a great deal of potential for the country as it creates the conditions for representatives of these cruise lines to decide on Santo Domingo as a cruise ship destination, taking into consideration the investment that is being put into the port area of the city, precisely for this purpose.
He added that the executives and representatives of destinations, providers and cruise line tour operators will have the opportunity to participate and to take part in the debates that are planned among the experts and international speakers and specialists in each related area.

 “The 17th Annual Cruise Conference & Trade Show is an ideal forum for the key agents in this industry. In addition to having the opportunity to understand first-hand what cruise liners are looking for in terms of shore excursions, services and ports, it also incorporates a magnificent opportunity to cultivate valuable commercial relationships,” added Molina.

The activities program of this event combines a tight Schedule that begins on Monday, October 25 with an invitational golf tournament. Later, there will be a formal opening ceremony on Tuesday October 26th at the Hotel Jaragua with opening speech to be given by Kevin Sheehan, president of the FCCA and executive director of the Norwegian Cruise Line.  After that, beginning at 8:00 pm, San Soucí Ports will host a Welcome Party for all the guests and international delegates.

The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Ship Association (FCCA) was founded in 1972 to represent the interests of its 15 member lines before government and key tourism organization in North America, the Caribbean and any other potential destination. It also provides a forum for discussion, legislation, tourism development, ports safety 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.