Room To Grow: Join Port Days Discussion To Learn About The Cruise Industry’s Return To Saint John
After more than a year of COVID-19, governments are starting to ease restrictions and things are inching towards normal. But for a region that relies so much on our ports, one question still looms large: what’s happening with cruise ships?
Before the pandemic, Saint John’s cruise industry was growing year after year. Cruises generated more than $50-million a year in economic activity in New Brunswick, and in 2020, Saint John was set to welcome its 3 millionth cruise passenger.
In the face of the pandemic, Canada originally suspended cruise activity throughout 2020 and later continued suspension through the 2021 season, but the industry is working towards a resumption plan for 2022.
“As we continue working toward cruise resumption across the cruise tourism sector, we know that the road back will require a collective, coordinated effort. Our cruise panel experts at virtual Port Days will discuss what resumption could look like and how opening dialogue with local stakeholders in our city and region is critically important,” said Andrew Dixon, Sr Vice President, Trade and Business Development, Port Saint John.
Dixon is the panel host for the Port Days cruise panel and serves as Committee Chair for the Association of Canadian Port Authorities’ Cruise Port Committee and as Acting Committee Chair for the American Association of Port Authorities’ Cruise Committee
Joining Dixon on the cruise panel are Luis Ajamil and Danielle Timmons. Ajamil is the President and CEO of Bermello Ajamil & Partners and an established leader in the North American cruise industry. Timmons is a VP with Saint John’s Aquila Centre for Cruise Excellence
Together, all three represent a fountain of knowledge about the industry that encompasses both a broad North American perspective as well as a Saint John-specific focus.
And on June 8, they will address all the questions you could possibly have about the return of the cruise industry in our region: How are industry partners working on when ships might return? What new protocols are being discussed to ensure ship, crew, and community safety? And how should businesses and community partners prepare?
Ajamil and Timmons are providing these insights and revelations as part of this year’s Port Days, which is taking place under a new virtual format.
The Port is inviting the public to tune into a series of events that will explore the most exciting developments and pressing questions facing the Port and region.
Paula Copeland, Director of Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility at the Port, says the goal this year is to “lift the veil” on the Port and help everyone understand why insiders are so excited about its future.
More information on this year’s Port Days, including other groundbreaking panels, is available here.
This story is part of a four-part series sponsored by Port Saint John.
- Join Port Saint John To Learn How Digitalization Of The Port Will Evolve Over The Coming Months
- Join Port Saint John Discussion On Growth And Workforce At Virtual Port Days