VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - April 4, 2016) - Port Metro Vancouver's 2016 cruise season officially kicks off today with the arrival of the Star Princess at Canada Place. Vancouver expects to welcome approximately 830,000 passengers on 228 calls, reflecting a forecasted three per cent increase in passenger volume over 2015.
"2016 marks the 30th anniversary of Canada Place," said Robin Silvester, President and Chief Executive Officer at Port Metro Vancouver. "Our award-winning cruise facilities at Canada Place welcome thousands of visitors to beautiful Vancouver every year."
The results of a joint passenger survey by Port Metro Vancouver, Tourism Vancouver, Destination B.C., and Vancouver International Airport in 2015 indicated an increased percentage of international cruise passengers coming to Vancouver, boosting economic impact in the region.
The Vancouver cruise industry stimulates more than $2 million in economic activity for each ship that calls at Canada Place.
Port Metro Vancouver was recently awarded the Best Destination Experience by Cruise Insight Magazine at the 2016 Seatrade Cruise Global Conference, the cruise industry's premier global event, held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"This award is a testament to the collective work of all the tourism partners who consistently deliver a dynamic pre-and post-cruise experience for the many cruise passengers visiting Vancouver each year," said Ty Speer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Vancouver.
Port Metro Vancouver is proud of the positive relationships built over many years with its cruise line customers.
"Holland America was the first cruise line to call the new Canada Place cruise terminal on April 28, 1986," continued Robin Silvester. "We value our partnership with Holland America Line very highly, and look forward to continuing to build on this great relationship for many years to come."
"Holland America Line has been sailing to Alaska from Port Metro Vancouver for more than 40 years, and our historic connection is deepened by the fact that one of our ships was the first cruise ship to berth at Canada Place back in 1986," said Orlando Ashford, President, Holland America Line. "Our guests rank Vancouver among their favorite cities, and the ease and convenience of the port make it all the more popular. Congratulations to Canada Place on celebrating its 30th anniversary, and we look forward to an extremely robust and successful Alaska season sailing from Vancouver."
Environmental stewardship is a priority for Port Metro Vancouver. In collaboration with the cruise industry and BC Hydro, the port authority continues to work toward increasing the use of shore power by cruise ships calling Vancouver. Shore power reduces marine diesel air emissions by allowing ships to shut down their engines and connect to BC Hydro's electrical grid while at dock. Since inception in 2009, the shore power installations at Canada Place have reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 14,000 tonnes.
About Port Metro Vancouver:
Port Metro Vancouver is Canada's largest port and the third largest tonnage port in North America, responsible for Canada's trade with more than 170 world economies. Located in a naturally beautiful setting on Canada's west coast, Port Metro Vancouver is responsible for the efficient and reliable movement of goods and passengers, and integrates environmental, social and economic sustainability initiatives into all areas of port operations. Port Metro Vancouver is committed to meaningful engagement with the communities in which it operates and the shared obligation to improve the quality of life for Canadians. Enabling the trade of approximately $200 billion in goods in 2015, the port generates an estimated 100,000 jobs, $6.1 billion in wages, and $9.7 billion in GDP across Canada. As a non-shareholder, financially self-sufficient corporation established by the Government of Canada, Port Metro Vancouver operates pursuant to the Canada Marine Act and is accountable to the elected federal Minister of Transport.
For more information
Highlights in 2016:
- We look forward to the return of the Disney Wonder, and all our returning homeported vessels from Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International.
- Crystal Cruises returns to homeport in Vancouver this year, with eight sailings on the Serenity, bringing more than 13,000 passengers, making it the first time Crystal Cruises has homeported in Vancouver since 2005.
- Holland America Line's Nieuw Amsterdam will make her inaugural call to Vancouver on April 30. The Nieuw Amsterdam will call Vancouver her homeport, offering 24 roundtrip sailings, bringing more than 100,000 passengers.
- Compagnie Du Ponant's Le Soleal, sister ship of Le Boreal and L'Austral, will make her inaugural call on June 18.
- March 2016, during Seatrade Cruise Global Conference, Cruise Insight Magazine presented Port Metro Vancouver with the award for "Best Destination Experience".
Audio quote: Robin Silvester, President and Chief Executive Officer, Port Metro Vancouver [MP3]
Contact Information:
Media & Government Affairs Advisor
julia.ren@portmetrovancouver.com
604-665-9267