Southern Cone countries foster regional cruise cooperation

New destinations, services for (small boat) nautical tourism, river cruise development, regional port models and investments were among the topics at the Aug. 17-18 event held in Montevideo.

10% passenger increase forecast

For Uruguay's upcoming six-month cruise season — set to begin Oct. 24 and end April 29 — a 10% increase in calls and a corresponding rise in passenger numbers is projected over the 2022/23 season, Tourism Minister Tabaré Viera said.

Last season marked an eight-year high, with 187 calls carrying 320,000 passengers, generating $16.3m in revenues for the country.

Regional unity

Viera stressed the importance of regional unity and cooperation and highlighted the convention, which has been held annually since 2013 in Uruguay, as a valuable exchange between the public and private actors.

He also encouraged the development of nautical tourism along the coast and river cruising, which could go beyond the austral summer season, and said various ideas and proposals by government and private entities are under consideration.

José Luis Falero, minister of transport and public works, pointed to government investments in infrastructure at the ports of Montevideo and Colonia del Sacramento. He said actions are planned so Colonia can receive cruise ships, and work is being done at the Port of Punta del Este to improve its facilities.

For his part, Juan Curbelo, president of the National Ports Association, highlighted the presence of representatives from ports across the region, which facilitated an exchange of ideas to promote cruising and the region's position as a destination.

Chile's participation

Speaking on the 'Vision of Development of the Southern Cone' panel, Chile's Southern Cone Ports Corp. (Conosur) President Enrique Runín talked about actions his association is undertaking to strengthen cruise tourism in Chile and the region.

Conosur President Enrique Runin addresses the convention; at left is CLIA Brazil President Marco Ferraz

As recently reported here, Chile is looking to ease cabotage restrictions for cruise ships of all sizes; its current law bars ships carrying fewer than 400 passengers from operating coastwise. Removing this restriction would help the international expedition cruise sector.

The Port of Valparaíso, a Conosur member, was represented by its head of competitiveness and sustainability, Pedro Torrejón, who also spoke at the event.

During the 2022/23 season, Chile hosted 250,465 cruise passengers on 394 calls at 26 ports and destinations. Runin projected a 10% increase in passenger numbers during the upcoming season.

Like the Uruguayans, the Conosur chief underscored the value of trans-national cooperation.

'We must work together as a region to make our tourist attractions known to the world, promoting sustainable and responsible growth of the industry in the Southern Cone,' he said.

Cruise line attendees

Cruise line participants included Dario Rustico, general manager, Central and South America for Costa Cruises; Pablo Laudonia, Argentina-based sales manager, MSC Cruises; and CLIA Brazil President Marco Ferraz.

Municipal directors of tourism and port directors also attended.