MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Valparaiso expecting fewer cruise ship tourists this summer

The cruise season officially begins next October 31st.

With the official tourist season starting on October 31, Chile’s main port Valparaíso tourism leaders say they are expecting 85.000 tourists cruise ship tourists this coming summer season. This figure is a considerable drop from previous years and could result in lower prices for tourism related services.

Historically, Valparaíso sees its highest rate of tourism in the December-February summer season. The city offers a very favourable beach climate, its renowned New Year’s Eve celebrations, and a series of large-scale festivals.

The Valparaíso city council is working hard to prepare for coming tourist season and all the visitors expected to travel to the city. Francisco Fuenzalida, a regional safety consultant, said that the Valpo council is seeking to “establish conditions that will safeguard the security of the people who visit this cruise season, and ensure the security of their personal belongings.”

“There are some emerging difficulties that we’re going to face”, he said. “For example, the cultural carnivals, which are usually hosted in the last week of December, have been moved to the first week of January. Even so, the changes are minimal, and we are certain we can ensure the safety of all our visitors.”

Franklin Castillo, Head of the Industrial Port Protection Company (EPV), reported that the cruise season will begin on Saturday 31st October, with the arrival of the HSH Albert II and Clelia II. The season closes on April 11, 2010 with the docking of the Norwegian Sun.

“We have been preparing as we do every year, basically using the models that have been successful so far,” Castillo said. The EPV President also added that Valparaíso port will receive 23 cruise vessels with 37 landfalls (deposits of passengers from a ship to a port). These numbers are notably lower than the 2008-2009 season which saw a total of 25 ships and 47 landfalls.

“This decrease has to do with the economic crisis, which has affected shipping in many areas around the world,” Castillo said.

By Thomas Derricott - Santiago Times