MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Punta Arenas expects 4.175 cruise visitors on Saturday

Punta Arenas in the extreme south of Chile will be taken over by 4.175 cruise visitors when two huge vessels, “Star Princess” and “Radiance of the Seas” call in on Saturday. “Carnival Splendour” with 3.700 visitors is expected at the end of the month.

However in spite of the inflow of tourists expected, the number of cruise vessels calling in Punta Arenas this season will actually drop admitted Miguel Basso deputy Manager from Empresa Portuaria Austral which runs the local port facilities. "This is because cruise vessels are becoming larger and travel with more passengers, so summing up what matters in the number of visitors", said Basso. According to Punta Arenas port statistics the number of cruise calls will be down by 22 compared to the previous season, which is almost 25%. So far this season 2008/09, 44.364 cruise passengers have visited Punta Arenas and the number will surge to 89.000, once the vessels return to the northern hemisphere by April 21st. Mr. Basso also pointed out that cruise tours are becoming more accessible and popular among Brazilians, Argentines and Chileans, with the average 10 day trip ranking 1.500 US dollars, considerable less than 2.500 USD a few years ago. Punta Arenas landing statistics indicate that the majority of cruise visitors' average age is sixty, mainly from the United States and the European Union. . "So far the global crisis does not seem to have impacted the cruise industry, but seasons begin in September so the real test will be the 2009/10 season", said Basso. In related news the heir to the Dutch throne William Alexander and his Argentine wife Maxima arrived this week to Puerto Natales for a visit to the world famous Torres del Paine national park. The Orange House couple will be arriving in Punta Arenas Friday and from there will fly to Antarctica hosts of the Netherlands Scientific Research Organization.