MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Punta Arenas expects 167 cruise calls and 100.000 visitors

Punta Arenas 2006/07 cruise season is expecting 163 calls and just over 100.000 visitors, (66.000 passengers and 34.000 crew members), according to Eduardo Manzanares head of the Austral Port Company which manages the local port.

"This confirms Punta Arenas as Chile's main cruise port and if we include all domestic cruise operations the number of visitors climbs to 110.000", pointed out Manzanares.

Punta Arenas cruise season actually begun last September 16 with the arrival of the Chilean flagged Antarctic Dream and is expected to last until mid April. Manzanares said that new vessels will be calling in Punta Arenas this season: Golden Princess with 2.600 visitors and Aurora with 1.870.

Punta Arenas is also expanding the tourist centre for cruise visitors at the Arturo Prat jetty with a reception hall covering an area of 1.300 square meters with an additional space of 1.700 square meters for Antarctic logistics.

Besides offices, information stands, telephones, internet, coffee houses and the traditional local crafts and souvenir outlets, the centre includes a coaches' terminal protected from rain and wind.

"We're investing over 600.000 US dollars in the expansion. This shows our commitment to the cruise industry and Punta Arenas as the leading port which is also one of the strongholds of the local industry", said Manzanares.

Another interesting fact is that the number of cruise vessels calling in Puerto Natales is also growing and the locals are lobbying for improved facilities.

Historically Puerto Natales received 5 to 7 cruise calls but this season the number of schedules is 24 with over 5.000 visitors.

The improvements planned are extending the docking jetty 70 meters and a 300 square meters covered tourists' leisure center with all the usual amenities. Austral Port Company is investing the equivalent of 700.000 US dollars in Puerto Natales.