Nathan Dundas, President of the Antigua and Barbuda Cruise Tourism Association (ABCTA), last Monday stated that the association is serious about and committed to the continuous development of cruise tourism in the twin-island state.

In his welcoming remarks at a meeting with the visiting representatives of the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) and the relevant stakeholders within the sector, Dundas highlighted the ways in which the ABCTA has since moved to achieve this goal, as well as to outline ways in which they will continue to do so in times to come.

The ABCTA boss noted that much consideration has been given to the area of tour operations.

“We have supported our members towards the setting up of new tours and this past year, we saw new tours emerging in addition to the ones we have; the new Subcat, new catamaran tours, walking tours etc. We are now looking at new tours which will involve the hotels on the islands; this is indicating how far we have come. Interestingly, the hotels are now are asking for these tours,” Dundas said.

He continued to say that one of their long-term enhancement goals is to attain training programmes for the taxi operators, the security workers at the port, shipping agents and other stakeholders.  Dundas said that already, the ABCTA has approached the FCCA for assistance in making this a reality in the near future.