Port taxi operators are bracing for a lean summer following the end of the winter cruise season last week and only limited ship calls scheduled for the next several months, but tourism officials promise the traditional summer lull is being addressed.
What’s described by tourism officials as a strong 2022/23 winter cruise season ended with the final cruise ship call on April 29th leaving some taxi operators at the Bridgetown Port concerned about their earnings prospects over the next few months.
A member of the Bridgetown Port Taxi Co-op notes however, that there will be a few cruise ships calls between now and the start of the next cruise season in October.
He urges efforts to make cruise ship calls in Barbados less seasonal.
And, the Barbados Tourism Marketing Incorporated’s Director of Cruise, Tia Broomes, speaking to Starcom Network News from her base in Miami gave the assurance that’s been addressed and in the interim arrangements have been made for at least four calls during this summer.
She explained that Barbados’ reliance on cruise ships based in Puerto Rico has been part of the problem due to disruption caused by hurricane damage as well as a change in port ownership in San Juan.
Barbados Tourism Marketing Incorporated’s Director of Cruise, Tia Broomes.
