Puerto Vallarta Registers Surge in Cruise Ship Arrivals, Boosting Tourism Economy

PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) - Puerto Vallarta is experiencing a significant uptick in cruise ship arrivals, with an impressive 78% year-on-year increase reported in the first half of 2023, according to the Puerto Vallarta National Port System (ASIPONA).

In the period from January to June 2023, the port welcomed over 350,000 passengers aboard 112 international cruise ships. This figure marks a robust increase of 40% compared to the same period in 2019.

Forecasts for the rest of 2023 anticipate the arrival of an additional 59 cruise ships, with an estimated passenger count exceeding 179,000. Cumulatively, the total count for 2023, from January through December, is expected to reach 171 cruises carrying more than 530,000 passengers. The economic impact of this surge in cruise tourism is projected to be a staggering 722 million pesos.

"Puerto Vallarta continues to be a highly attractive destination, and this dramatic increase in cruise ship arrivals underscores our city's stature and leadership in tourism," remarked Vanessa Pérez Lamas, Secretary of Tourism of Jalisco. "Beyond enhancing connectivity with our destination, cruise ships serve as a vital engine for our tourism industry. Each cruise ship arrival generates an economic boost benefiting a variety of sectors, from local commerce and gastronomy to tourist services."

The burgeoning cruise ship industry accounts for approximately 6% of tourist arrivals in Puerto Vallarta, signaling its significant role in attracting visitors to the destination.

In the first half of the year, Puerto Vallarta received more than 3.2 million tourists overall, an increase of 8% compared to the same period in 2022. This surge in visitors resulted in an economic windfall of 22.3 billion pesos, a 5% increase year-on-year. The city also reported an average hotel occupancy rate of 78%, surpassing 2022 records by 3 percentage points.

As cruise ships continue to dock at Puerto Vallarta, the city looks forward to further economic growth and a flourishing tourism industry in the coming months.