This is no small feat for the destination which ranked 8^th in the Caribbean in visitor spend in the 2014-2015 cruise year.

According to the study released by Business Research & Economic Advisors (BREA), Economic Contribution of Cruise Tourism to the Destination Economies to the FCCA, cruise tourism directly generated US$143 million to the St. Kitts economy, along with nearly 2,065 jobs, paying more than US$17 million in wage income.

Also of significance is that the average crew spend in St. Kitts also went up from US$41.55 in 2015, to US$53.72 in 2018. Total crew expenditure in St. Kitts was at US$3.9 million in 2015,  and has more than doubled to US$8.72 million in 2018.

“To have the third highest average per passenger spend in the Caribbean is another major accomplishment for St. Kitts, which shows that not only is the destination in demand, but we also have the services and products to meet that demand,” Minister Grant said. “My team at the Ministry of Tourism and the St. Kitts Tourism Authority will continue to work hard to raise the standard through out the industry,  to provide a world-class experience that will ensure our visitors all ‘follow their hearts’ back to our shores.”

The study measured direct spending impacts through passenger surveys and crew surveys; cruise line spending for services and provisions; port revenues; and employment generated by cruise ship calls. Measurement of economic impacts was calculated by collecting data from local government agencies, regional development agencies and international economic agencies to evaluate impacts on employment, wages, port fees and taxes.

The U.S. Virgin Islands had the highest average per passenger spend at US$165.42, followed by St. Maarten at US$142.23, and then St. Kitts & Nevis at US$135.94.

According to the study cruise tourism directly generated US$3.36 billion in total cruise tourism expenditures in the Caribbean — more than six percent higher than the record set by the previous study in 2015. 

The study, which is engaged by FCCA in partnership with its destination partners every three years, was released at the 25thannual FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The FCCA is the trade group representing the mutual interests of the cruise industry and destinations and stakeholders in the Caribbean and Latin America.