Barbuda welcomes Windstar Cruise

0
124
- Advertisement -

Minister of Tourism and Investment, Charles Fernandez, has welcomed the resumption of the Windstar Cruise to Barbuda.
The Minister of Tourism made the announcement on Sunday as the country’s tourism officials celebrated the anchoring of Windstar’s Wind Surf, one month after the re-opening of the luxurious Barbuda Belle boutique hotel.
 The Windstar called on Barbuda over the years but stopped after Hurricane Irma devastated the island in September 2017.
Minister Fernandez pointed out that the Windstar’s return resulted from a lot of lobbying by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority and other cruise partners at major cruise conferences since 2017.
According to him, Barbuda is being marketed as an eco-friendly, high-value, low volume destination, making it perfect for inclusion on the cruise itineraries of smaller luxury cruise lines.
 He stressed that it is an extremely important milestone for Barbuda tourism as the island returns to normalcy.
“We have been encouraging the smaller cruise lines to return to Barbuda. This is a vote of confidence in Barbuda, and the services and tours that will be available for guests of the ship to enjoy,” Fernandez said. 
The largest ship in the Windstar fleet, the Wind Surf, is a five-mast motor-sail yacht that accommodates 310 guests.
The Windstar website describes the ship as being “known for its casually elegant environment”.
Wind Surf will make nine bi-weekly calls to Barbuda this season.
 Chair of Tourism, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs on the Barbuda Council, Asha Frank, was present at the Barbuda dock on Sunday to greet cruise executives from the vessel.
 She said, small cruise lines such as the Windstar that offer a more personal and authentic experience are ideal for the picturesque shores of Barbuda.
“We welcome the Windstar and thank them for the huge support of our local businesses,” she added.

- Advertisement -