Cartagena de Indias is preparing to host cruise ships following a technical inspection visit by the authorities. If the Colombian Ministry of Health approves the safety protocols for the management and risk control of coronavirus in activities related to the arrival, stay and departure of ships carrying passengers, the city would be welcoming visitors starting August 24.

Diana Martínez, advisor to the Ministry of Economic Reactivation, said the city is pioneering the development of biosafety protocols for cruise ship arrivals. “Cartagena is the country’s main cruise ship destination, so we did an articulate job in developing a biosecurity protocol to ensure the safety of the operations and this industry.”

The opening of the cruises means more than $ 66 million per season for the city economy.

In addition, more than 747 direct jobs and more than 1,886 indirect jobs will be created, such as B. Travel guides, travel agencies, salespeople, tourist transport companies, taxi drivers and many other actors.

Cruises worldwide

While cruise ship berthing protocols begin in Cartagena de Indias, the Italian government has banned passage through Venice due to the pollution of the canal.

The first cruise ship docks Puerto Rico Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras arrived in San Juan on Tuesday, August 3rd.

The cruise ship carries 4,300 passengers and is expected to generate $ 360,000 just nine hours after docking in the area.

In Florida, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings may require all passengers and employees boarding their ships to be vaccinated against Covid-19, even if they do so in a port in that state.

On the other hand, the Quintana Roo (Apiqroo) Port Authority in Mexico reported that seven cruise ships will arrive in Cozumel Island in the third week of August last July.

Argentina already announced last Friday that it would resume tourism for travelers in the region with a full vaccination program in the second phase of its de-escalation plan from September.

The Uruguayan authorities announced that they are ready to start the cruise season and allow entry for all foreigners vaccinated since November 1st.

Similarly, Costa Rica reported that starting September 1, it will reactivate cruise tourism for the 2021-22 season, boosting tourism and employment in the coastal areas.