The Bahamas sailed into the port of Guamache on the Caribbean island of Margarita on Tuesday under the “Amadea” flag of the German company Phoenix Reisen. On board were almost 500 passengers, most of them from Spain, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.
Due to the economically and politically unstable situation, tourists have been avoiding the South American country for years. “Cruise ships haven’t been on Venezuela’s radar for years,” said Tourism Minister Ali Padrón as he welcomed the ship.
Exchange controls, a shortage of goods and an unreliable basic supply of water and electricity, as well as crime, deterred foreign tour operators and visitors.
But after years of hyperinflation and a free-falling currency that caused millions to flee abroad, the country’s economy and tourism sector have shown slight signs of recovery recently. A de facto dollarization of the economy and relaxation of price controls have boosted imports, leading to an increased supply of goods and the opening of new stores.
Since last year, the country also has more tourists from Russia, who have been unwelcome in many other countries since the start of the war in Ukraine. However, official tourism figures are not available.
For the president of the Conseturismo Tourism Association, Leudo Gonzáles, the arrival of the “Amadea” opens the possibility for Venezuela “to get back on the radar of the major cruise lines”. Any initiative that attracts new international tourists to Venezuela is a “victory,” Pulido said. “It’s great for us, a party.”
(SDA)