The Ministry of Tourism and Aviation (MOTA) expects to welcome 1.3 million cruise passengers to Grand Bahama in 2012, a 29 per cent rise from the previous year, injecting more than $30 million into the local economy.

MOTA Director of Business Development Terrance Roberts released the figures as he addressed the Rotary Club of Lucaya last week and said the surge was due to a concerted effort by the Ministry to work with other organizations, such as the Freeport Harbour Company.

“The Ministry of Tourism remains committed to working closely with the Harbour Company to improve the visitor experience,” he said, noting that cruise ship arrivals had been increasing steadily over the past three years, with 208 cruise calls in 2009, 242 in 2010 and 277 in 2011.

The Ministry expects this figure to reach 359 calls in 2012.

The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association and Harbour Company are coming together to host a one-day business conference next month to look at ways of stimulating further growth and encouraging local entrepreneurs into the industry.

“The primary objective of the opportunity awareness seminar is to inform, educate, stimulate and promote opportunities for local Grand Bahamians,” said Roberts.

The event will take place on February 9 in Grand Bahama.

Roberts also urged the Grand Bahama community as a whole to become active participants in the island’s tourism sector, saying: “Residents all together and individually have a role to play in delivering a quality destination experience by re-inserting the fun component into the tourism experience.”

“We need to go back to basics in this regard.”

cboal@dupuch.com