The Port of Ushuaia receives 25 cruise ships whose final destination is Antarctica. Starting next season, 2018/2019, that number will increase to 33.
With cost reductions, incentives for the sector and investment in infrastructure, Argentina is seeking to gain market share from Chile. According to industry projections, the number of Antarctic exploration and tourism vessels will continue to grow over the next three seasons, reaching an increase of up to 3%.
“This means that more and more companies are betting on our country and the process of change that we are carrying out. The cruise industry is very important because of the number of new tourists who come to see our country, its nature and unique landscapes; but also because of all the employment that is generated in logistics and in the operation of ships, and also at the federal level, since this represents an unprecedented and very positive movement for the port of Ushuaia,” he said. William Dietrich, Minister of Transportation of the Nation.
The increase in Antarctic cruises in Ushuaia was presented to Minister Dietrich by the main operating companies in the sector at Sea Trade, the most important international cruise meeting worldwide, in Fort Lauderdale, United States.
Dietrich met with officials from Ponant, Quark, Salen and CMI Inc., the world's leading Antarctic cruise operators.
The governor of Tierra del Fuego, Rosana Bertone, and the port inspector of Buenos Aires, Gonzalo Mórtola, also participated in the meetings. In addition, a meeting was held with Lisa Kelley, head of operations of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO).
During the meeting with Antarctic operators, Ponant company authorities announced that next season they will add a new cruise ship to the three that are already operating today and that the projection is to continue growing until reaching a total of 3 in the coming years. The Quark company will also add a new ship in 11.
We continue in Fort Lauderdale in the@SeatradeCruise Today, one of the largest cruise companies in the world announced that it will increase the number of passengers in Argentina by 75% in two years. This is a sign of confidence and that we are going in the right direction. pic.twitter.com/ZtN8s2KGPS
— Guillo Dietrich (@Guillodietrich) March 8th 2018
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