More cruise ships to boost Panama economy

(newsroompanama.com) Panama's economy is expected to benefit by $72 million with an extended  cruise season and additional sailings.

Two ships The Ocean Dream of the Pullmantur Spanish chain, and the Grandeur of the Seas of Royal Caribbean will be sailing   from the Colon terminal and increased  visits on the Pacific side will push up Canal transits.

A big increase in passenger traffic is forseen with the season expanded from seven  to nine-months  With two cruise ships leaving Panama, the economic impact will be around $72 million, according to estimates by Augusto Terracina, director of Adventure 2000.

The Colon terminal where $23 million has been invested will receive 98% of cruise ships arriving on Panama's Atlantic coast.

The prospects in the Pacific are equally encouraging. The season in Flamenco Island from  September 30 will see the arrival of 68 cruises, 23% up on 2009, mainly from the Princess and Holland America America chains

Over 95%of cruise passengers arriving in Flamenco are Americans who embark in Los Angeles, USA, and end their tour in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after crossing the  Canal.

Over 350 000 cruise passengers and nearly 170 000 crew members will arrive in to Panamanian ports during the season.

A representative of the Spanish chain in Panama and Central America (excluding Costa Rica) said the first Ocean Dream cruise that leaving   October 15 is  65% sold.

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Original Source: newsroompanama.com