Premier Brantley expresses pleasure as Cruise tourism returns in Nevis

St Kitts and Nevis: Mark Brantley – the Minister of Foreign of St Kitts and Nevis and Premier of Nevis Island Administration, expressed pleasure that Cruise tourism has successfully been returned to the Nevis Island.

The leader further thanked God for every penny earned by the artisans, taxi drivers, and others as tourists are once again heading towards Nevis.

The Premier of the Nevis Island Administration stated, “Charlestown Harbour this morning. We are grateful to God for every penny being earned by our taxi drivers, artisans, restaurants and others as tourists have been coming back to our beloved Nevis.”

Tourism, especially Cruise Tourism, is one of the key sectors which provide financial strength to the twin-island federation. COVID-19 impacted this factor as well, as to safeguard the nation from the deadly virus, various restrictions were implemented by the administration.

Eventually, the sector came back to normalcy in late-2021. St Kitts and Nevis witnessed its 2021-2022 cruise season with the return of the first large cruise ship to Port Zante in September. Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Equinox landed at the Port as the first cruise after the onset of the pandemic.

The cruise ship was loaded with around 1,147 passengers; passengers who disembarked took part in what the federation calls “bubble tours” at select tourist attractions across the island. All 1,147 passengers were fully vaccinated, children below 12 were not included.

At that time, St Kitts and Nevis Tourism Minister – Lindsay FP Grant was quoted as, “The day has been anxiously anticipated, and a long time in coming, as we continued our phased approach to rebuilding the cruise sector. The Royal Caribbean Group is a valued partner and with calls from their three main brands, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea, were instrumental in the destination welcoming over 1 million passengers for two consecutive years, cementing our position in the marketplace as a marquee port.”