Largest Cruise Conference in the Caribbean and Mexico Opens Tomorrow in Cozumel and Brings Economic Potential for the City, Country and Attendees

COZUMEL, Mexico, Oct. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Tomorrow marks the opening of the FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show -- the largest cruise conference in the Caribbean and Mexico and one of the best ways to target the cruise industry and maximize its benefits. The four-day event will gather nearly 1,000 cruise tourism stakeholders for a series of meetings, workshops and networking functions with more than 100 cruise line executives.

"The FCCA Conference & Trade Show puts cruise tourism stakeholders in the middle of the action," said Micky Arison, chairman of Carnival Corporation & plc and the FCCA, who will be on hand throughout the event. "From tour operators launching their first tour to destinations building a new port, this is the place where decisions and developments are reached and relationships are made to pave the way for future business."

Taking place until October 9, the event launches tomorrow during the opening ceremony from 10 – 11 AM, with Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line, delivering the keynote address. The official Trade Show opening and ribbon cutting then will follow from 11 AM – 12 PM. 

These events will commence the opportunities to learn from and develop business and relationships with successful stakeholders, along with cruise executives who decide where ships call, what sells onboard and how to invest in destination products and infrastructure. 

Plus they will display some of the preparations by Cozumel and Mexico, which partnered with the government and local businesses to coordinate the event's logistics and display their rich culture, UNESCO-designated gastronomy, diverse destination products and developed infrastructure, including the launch of the third Puerto Maya berth.

"The FCCA appreciates Cozumel's and the entire country's efforts and commitment to making the 22^nd annual FCCA Conference & Trade Shows one of the best events yet," said Michele Paige, president, FCCA. "It has pulled out all the stops to woo the cruise executives and attendees, allowing all to see the offerings of and dedication to cruise tourism that has led it to resurging as one of the world's leading cruise destinations."

Cozumel and Mexico experienced the significance of impressing the event's prestigious audience; after first hosting it in 2007, Cozumel saw a 21-percent increase in passenger arrivals from FCCA Member Lines from 2006 to 2008. These passengers' impact extend far beyond the cruise pier, spending $104.58 per passenger during their visit and $205 million total, according to the 2009 Business Research & Economic Advisers (BREA) study, Economic Contribution of Cruise Tourism to the Destination Economies.

By these numbers, if Cozumel's 3.3 million FCCA Member Line passenger arrivals in 2014 grew the same 20 percent, it would represent over $69 million more in passenger spending alone, along with the coinciding increases of employment and crew and cruise line spending, as well as indirect contributions that include supplies purchased by tour operators, restaurants and port authorities. 

Of course, these direct contributions also bolster the entire country's economy, to the tune of $565.4 million in passenger, crew and cruise line spending, in addition to 15,990 jobs and $93.5 million in wages generated through cruise tourism and its 5.06 million passenger visits, according to the 2007 BREA study, Economic Contribution of Cruise Tourism in Mexico.

With Mexico already expecting more than 6.1 million passenger arrivals from FCCA Member Lines next year, the country could see more than $675 million in direct economic impact, along with more than $110 million in wages.

Even a single additional cruise vessel would carry a large economic wake for Cozumel and the country. BREA's figures show that just one average cruise ship -- 130,000 GRT, carrying 3,000 passengers and 500 crewmembers -- in Cozumel would generate roughly $374,480 in direct economic contribution, not including employment and indirect contributions.

To learn more about and/or register for the FCCA Conference & Trade Show, please visit: www.regonline.com/fccacozumel.

About the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association

Created in 1972, the FCCA is a not-for-profit trade organization that provides a forum for discussion on tourism development, ports, safety, security, and other cruise industry issue and builds bilateral relationships with destinations' private and public sectors. By fostering an understanding of the cruise industry and its operating practices, the FCCA works with governments, ports and private sector representatives to maximize cruise passenger, crew and cruise line spending, as well as enhance the destination experience and increase the amount of cruise passengers returning as stay-over visitors. For more information, visit F-CCA.com, the FCCA on Facebook, and @FCCAupdates on Twitter.

Media Contact
Justin Paige
Manager, Communications, Marketing & Research
Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association
Tel: 954-441-8881, Ext. 210
[email protected] 

SOURCE Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA)

Related Links

http://f-cca.com