Puerto Vallarta, nestled along Mexico’s Pacific coast, is celebrating a remarkable surge in its tourism sector, particularly in cruise tourism. The Jalisco Tourism Secretariat (SECTURJAL) reports an impressive 50 percent increase in cruise passengers, with a total of 476,000 visitors from January to October 2023 compared to the same period last year.
In November, the city geared up for a bustling month with 21 cruise ships expected to dock. However, the excitement took a hit when the Carnival Panorama, a frequent visitor with a capacity of 4,008 passengers, faced unexpected engine problems, resulting in the cancellation of three of this month’s scheduled cruises.
Despite this setback, Puerto Vallarta saw a silver lining as the Discovery Princess and the Norwegian Bliss stepped in, collectively bringing 7,977 passengers and 2,987 crew members last Wednesday. The Navigator of the Seas, boasting a capacity of 3,990 passengers and a crew of 1,200, contributed to the city’s cruise tourism on Friday the 24th.
The surge in cruise tourism is credited to collaborative efforts by the State Government, SECTURJAL, and various shipping companies. In all of 2022, the city saw just 305,106 cruise visitors, according to the Administration of the National Port System of Puerto Vallarta (ASIPONA).
Vanessa Perez, Director of SECTURJAL, emphasized, “The increase in the number of cruise ship visitors to Puerto Vallarta is an indication of the international positioning of our beach destination.”
The shipping industry has played a vital role, constituting 9 percent of the total visitors to Puerto Vallarta. This uptick not only elevates the city’s global status but also propels economic growth, solidifying Puerto Vallarta as an increasingly desirable destination for global travelers.
Data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) reveals a positive economic impact, with the average spending of cruise visitors increasing by 6.8 percent to $80.64 per day from January to October 2023, compared to $75.51 during the same period in 2022. This economic boost highlights the thriving nature of Puerto Vallarta’s cruise industry, positioning the city as a premier destination on the international tourism stage.