Passenger forecasts presented
Cruise Connect 2026 brought tourism stakeholders together at Embassy Suites Aruba, where Aruba Ports Authority CEO Marc Figaroa presented passenger forecasts and infrastructure plans, according to EA News. The authority projects approximately 1,070,186 cruise passengers in 2026 and 1,071,530 passengers with 375 ship calls in 2027. These are projections, not completed annual totals.
Seasonal demand shapes port planning
The presentation described substantial differences between busy and quieter months, with nearly 147,000 passengers projected for December 2027 against about 29,000 in July. APA is working with cruise lines to distribute visits and use available berths efficiently.
Infrastructure and visitor services discussed
Reported plans include continued fender replacement, shade and sanitary facilities, a pilot boat expected in early 2027 and a digital port-management system scheduled to become fully operational on January 1. Welcome Plaza and Fiesta Plaza work is described as postponed to the second quarter of 2027. Dates remain the authority’s stated plans.
Merchants describe the visitor connection
In a related 24ora interview at the event, port merchant Marlien Lacle described returning customers and differences in spending between ship visits. Her account offers a local-business perspective rather than independently measured spending data. Read the related interview.
Source: Read the original report.
Image: Conceptual editorial illustration, not a documentary photograph of the reported people, place or event.
