MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Uruguay’s expects 200 cruise calls and 300.000 visitors

Tourism minister Hector Lescano

Uruguay expects 200 cruise calls this 2010/2011 season totalling 300.000 visitors between passengers and crewmembers said the country’s Tourism and Sports minister Hector Lescano during the official launching of the cruise season.

It is estimated that the cruise turnover represents 30 million US dollars for Uruguay, which is “not much” compared to the 1.3 billion the tourism industry generates annually, but it’s a “marvellous promotion” for the country, added Lescano.

“According to our public opinion polls we know that anywhere between 10% and 12% of visitors return to the country and in some cases as investors. Most of them are quite impressed with Uruguay”, said Lescano.

The minister said that Ministry’s registry show “the number of tours and trained and licensed guides for the cruise industry continue to expand and we are in close coordination with the Ministry of Interior to redouble security in tourism areas”.

Another benefit for cruise visitors is the free tax (with credit cards) system which was implemented for this season and applies to many goods and services in Uruguay which have 23% VAT.

The current season is expected to last until April 2011.

For safety reasons the official inauguration was postponed several days because a Korean flagged jigger caught fire and had to be towed out into the Montevideo bay.

“We expect 185 vessels with 1.200 to 3.000 visitors to call in Montevideo and Punta del Este this season, which could add up to more than 300.000 people”, said Benjamin Liberoff advisor to the Ministry of Tourism.

“Almost half of them are Brazilians, 20% Argentines and the rest from all over the world, mainly from the US and UK”, according to our records said Liberoff.