Cruise visitors to St. Kitts spent $108.90 per passenger during the 2011-12 season, almost double the $57.40 spent in 2005-06, according to a Florida Caribbean Cruise Association study.
The study also revealed a 400% increase in cruise passenger arrivals to St. Kitts in the past six years, from 117,000 in the 2005-06 cruise season to 629,000 in the 2011-12 season.
"St. Kitts' performance in the cruise sector is directly attributable to several initiatives undertaken by government following the decision to end sugar production in 2005," said Ricky Skerritt, minister of tourism and international transport.
Skerritt cited the improvements in downtown Basseterre, the development of shops and attractions, and the increased number of certified taxi and tour operators as "positively impacting the experience that St. Kitts offers to visitors."
Customer satisfaction with the St. Kitts shopping experience was measured at 74% in the 2011-12 cruise year, up from 47% six seasons ago, according to the FCCA study.
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