Saint John positioned to net more cruise ship traffic
10.09.2008 22:00
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- Source: cbc.ca
An increased number of cruise ships calling into the port of Saint John will bring more than $1 million to the city's economy, says an official. While Royal Caribbean International announced it will be cutting its calls to Charlottetown and Sydney, N.S., in 2009 to save money on fuel, it will be adding four ports of call to Saint John next season, said Bill Eaton, spokesman for the Saint John Port Authority. Any ships that leave ports in the United States but are not flagged as American vessels - and that includes most cruise ships - are required to go to a foreign port, Eaton said. If the cruise ship is leaving from the New England states, which is where Royal Caribbean is now expected to have more stops, the closest foreign port is Saint John, Eaton said. Fifty-three cruise ships called into Saint John last year, while 81 have come to the port this season, he said. "It's obvious the cruise lines and their passengers have taken to the city. They're happy with the reception they receive. They're happy with the tours we have available." The addition of four more ships arriving in the port should bring an additional $1 million to the local economy next season, Eaton said. Ross Klein, a professor at Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador, said the ports in the Maritimes working together would allow the region to continue to benefit from the cruise ships. When the ports in the Maritimes compete with each other, they end up underselling their services to the industry, said Klein, who researches the cruise industry. If the Maritime ports offered packaged deals or similar rates, it could result in a larger return for the region, he said. "I've encouraged for some time that ports should be working together co-operatively so they don't get played off," Klein said. "The ports of Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown and Saint John have an interest in working as a unit -- as a group that can't be divided and perhaps work out some sort of scheme whereby the port charges are for the region." Eaton agreed that though Saint John is positioned to receive more cruise ship traffic, it's not good news for the region. "Ultimately what's good for Sydney, and what's good for Charlottetown and Halifax is good for Saint John," he said. Attempts to handle fuel costsCruise ship lines also have a tendency to reduce lengths of tours and the speed of their ships to deal with fuel costs, Eaton said. If a cruise ship is spending more time at sea, it's likely people will be spending more of their money aboard ships than in ports, Klein said. "Well it's very likely they won't have as much money to spend because they'll spend more money on board the ships because they'll be on the ship more often," he said. "At the same time, Saint John will be in a more enviable position because ships are looking for the ports closer to the ports they leave from in the U.S." RelatedInternal LinksCruise line cuts calls to 2 Maritime portsCruise ships looking to save fuel drop Canadian portsConsumer Headlines15th listeria death linked to Maple Leaf FoodsAnother person has died from listeriosis linked to tainted meat processed at the Maple Leaf Foods plant in Toronto. Alberta bans expiry dates for gift cardsAlberta will eliminate expiry dates and inactivity fees for gift cards starting Nov. 1, making sure they keep their full value whenever they are redeemed.Britain to retain strict rules on liquids in carry-on luggageStrict restrictions on carrying liquids in hand baggage will remain in place in Britain for as long as five more years, despite calls from a high-profile international airline to ease the rules. Dairy farmer in court over contempt chargeAn Ontario farmer at the centre of a hot debate about unpasteurized milk is expected in court Wednesday, accused of contempt of court.Quebec woman with disability wants travel companion to fly for freeA Montreal woman who uses a wheelchair and needs a travel companion to fly says she's upset two major Canadian airlines are fighting a court decision that would allow her assistant to board for free. Consumer Life FeaturesCONSUMERAim low, shoot highTelus scores with discount Koodo brandCONTRACTSTermination feesSAFETYRecalls and AdvisoriesSPECIAL COVERAGEToronto Film FestivalClick here for our coverage of TIFF 2008BLOGFood BytesWhy don't you like vegetables, Mr. Harper? BLOGComm-OdditiesAirline seeks bald men as walking billboardsPeople who read this also read …
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