MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Buenos Aires expects 155 calls next 2009/2010 cruise season

Argentine officials expect 300.000 visitors

Buenos Aires port cruise terminal expects 155 calls during the coming 2009/2010 season, which is 13 more than last summer according to the latest information from the Argentine Ports Administration Office. This represents an increase of 13 over the previous season.

The first cruise vessel of the season is “MSC Musica” and is scheduled to arrive November 25th, officially opening 2009/2010, while “MSC Armonia” on April first 2010 will signal the closing call

Last season Buenos Aires port inaugurated a modern and ample terminal for cruise vessels, “Benito Quinquela Martin” which proved its full value when it hosted in a single day 14.000 visitors from seven different vessels that called at Argentina’s capital.

The terminal demanded an investment of five million US dollars and a further expansion of 1.500 square metres is under construction for the coming season. It will cost 1.5 million US dollars and have an increased capacity of 4.000 visitors.

Buenos Aires port authorities have 143 cruise vessels confirmed for next season, but another 13 are expected which would amount to approximately 300.000 visitors. Bookings for 2010/2011 already total 145

“The expansion is geared to mitigate the lack of space for cruise vessel visitors, as well as making disembarking and boarding much more agile and less stressing for tourists”, said Luis Angel Diez from the Argentine Ports administration office.

In related news the Argentine Chamber of cruise companies and representatives, CERCA, said that according to 2008 statistics and interviews from the industry, 77% of cruise visitors and 55% of first time visitors had considered returning to Buenos Aires in the next three years.

Argentine tourism office estimates show that 260.000 cruise visitors arrived in Argentina during the 2008/09 season, which is a new record. The boom was mainly in Ushuaia with 400 calls and up to 8.000 visitors on a single day.

This is attributed to the multiple options for the area which covers two oceans, Atlantic and Pacific and the Tierra del Fuego canals.

The most common itinerary includes Buenos Aires, Puerto Madryn, Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, Puerto Montt and Valparaíso. Falklands/Malvinas and Antarctica are additional destinations.

As to the origin of cruise travellers, CERCA has Europe first, followed by Brazil and the United States.