Of those, more than half — 4.7m — will be aboard Carnival brands.
Carnival Corp. executives, from left, Vicky Rey, Jan Swartz, John Padgett, Josh Weinstein and Gus Antorcha
Cruising makes for a 'substantial' economic impact in Mexico, Weinstein added. Average passenger spending per port is $70, with crew spending an average $40 on top of that. This makes up part of the $760m in direct annual cruise spending in the country, creating more than 17,000 jobs and $150m in wages.
Meanwhile, multiple cruise companies are generating record bookings and improvements across the board.
A ribbon-cutting opened the FCCA event
'We see no sign of consumers slowing down,' Weinstein told FCCA attendees. 'We are seeing more interest in cruising than ever. The intent to cruise is higher today than in December 2019, a record.'
Weinstein recounted Carnival's recent third quarter results showed record revenues, per diems, yields and customer sales deposits, adding it's critical this continues because his company's debt load has tripled, 'and we now have $30 billion in debt, so we have a lot of work to do.'
FCCA CEO Michele Paige with attendees
A heart for Acapulco
Weinstein had begun his remarks by mentioning the 'heartbreaking devastation' of Acapulco from Hurricane Otis and urged support for its recovery. 'Acapulco is a very special place, and I'm confident it will come back even stronger,' he said.
How Mazatlán came to host the FCCA
FCCA CEO Michele Paige said the cruise industry's had a '50-year love affair' with Mexico.
She told how, when Rubén Rocha Moya was elected governor of Sinaloa state 2.5 years ago, he had lunch with her and Russell Benford, VP government relations, Americas, Royal Caribbean Group, because he wanted to learn about the cruise industry. Immediately Rocha Moya vowed to host an FCCA event.
'Well, you did it,' Paige said.
Russell Benford, far right, with Royal Caribbean colleague Jaime Castillo, center, and SeaDream Yacht Club's Emilio Freeman
Mazatlán is hosting in a year when 430,000 cruisers are expected to visit.
For his part, Rocha Moya extolled 'the pearl of the Pacific' with its Centro Histórico — the only one in all of Mexico's Pacific Coast cruise destinations, he said — its sweeping malecón, fishing bounty, seafood gastronomy, the world's tallest lighthouse and many other attributes.
Mazatlán threw a big party in the Centro Histórico for FCCA attendees with a Day of the Dead parade, fireworks, music and dancing
Security
He also stressed the importance of security. Some years ago, cruise lines pulled out of Mazatlán during a period of drug cartel shootings and the state worked hard to secure touristic areas. Eventually the ships returned.
'There was a stigma that Sinaloa was violent. Not now,' Rocha Moya said.
More than 600 people are attending the FCCA event. Rocha Moya called out each nationality and officials from other parts of nearby states, sharing highlights of their destinations including the 'Pueblos Mágicos' (Magical Towns), a federal tourism initiative around culturally rich and hisoric towns, along with natural wonders like the Copper Canyon, accessed from Topolobampo.
Sonora Gov. Alfonso Durazo Montaño, left, with Sinaloa Gov. Rubén Rocha Moya, and Michele Paige and Rocha Moya exchanging gifts
Sea of Cortez states cooperate
For his part, Alfonso Durazo Montaño, the governor of neighboring Sonora, touted the Sea of Cortez and said the governors of its bordering states — Sonora, Sinaloa, Baja California and Baja California Sur — are working together to develop the touristic potential of this 'aquarium of the world,' as Jacques Cousteau called it. They aim to create a cruise itinerary and are improving infrastructure and connectivity to do so.
There was so much to say by the hosts that the scheduled hour-long opening ceremony stretched to more than double that so the Presidents' Panel — which was to feature Gus Antorcha of Holland America Line, John Padgett of Princess Cruises and Rick Sasso (chairman) of MSC Cruises USA — was canceled.
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