St. Kitts Reaches Marquee Port Status with Millionth Visitor

Along with phenomenal weather, the West Indies enjoy a rich history in the Caribbean and as a result, it’s a popular vacation destination for cruise ships and vacationers alike. Tourism is booming for all the islands, but the number of visitors to St. Kitts this year is exceeding expectations.

The St. Kitts Tourism Authority and Ministry of Tourism announced that the island had seen its one millionth visitor so far in 2018, a number that propels the island to marquee port status for the first time ever.

Minister of Tourism, International Trade, Industry and Commerce for the island, Hon. Mr. Lindsay F.P. Grant, noted that the milestone comes with plenty of time left in the cruising season.

“I am deeply gratified to welcome over one million cruise passengers to our shores as of today,” he said. “It is particularly significant that this historic occasion is taking place now, as we have over two months left in the 2017-2018 cruise season to increase arrivals even further. Reaching this milestone at this point in time is truly a testament to the strength of our relationships with the cruise lines and to the continuing appeal of our tourism product.”

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Cruise Ships Make St. Kitts a Popular Destination

The millionth visitor mark occurred with the arrival of guests from Royal Caribbean International’s Freedom of the Seas, a ship holding 3,782 passengers.

Port Zante at St. Kitts

Mr. Grant led the welcome delegation at Port Zante and selected the millionth guest upon disembarkation, who was treated to tour of the island. The special occasion was further celebrated with special t-shirts given to arriving passengers and a live performance by a steel pan band, masquerades and more.

St. Kitts is obviously known for its spectacular beaches and bright sunny skies, but most don’t know that there are plenty of tourism attractions as well. Visitors to the island enjoy hiking through tropical rainforests, catching a ride on the scenic railway connecting the island’s former sugar plantations, as well as visiting the Caribelle Batik factory, and touring Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.