Cruise visitors will increase by 10 per cent in 2016 with the industry expected to bring in more than $90 million to the Island’s economy.

An additional 15 occasional calls in 2016 compared to this year is part of the reason for the 12 per cent increase in the projected economic impact of the cruise industry.

Hamilton will see cruise calls increase by 20 per cent while the number of liners visiting St George’s will increase from two this year to five in 2016.

“We strategically targeted the premium or luxury brands over many months and are extremely pleased all the hard work paid off with 15 additional occasional calls in 2016, a significant 43 per cent increase,” said Bill Hanbury, Bermuda Tourism Authority CEO. “That’s going to go a long way toward building on the tourism economy growth we have begun to realise in 2015.”

The preliminary 2016 cruise schedule predicts 100 regular cruise calls with an additional 50 occasional callers bringing a total of 150 cruise calls for 2016. In 2015, there are 135 scheduled cruise calls.

About 407,000 cruise visitors are anticipated for 2016.

This compares to 370,000 for 2015. In 2014, there were 356,000 cruise visitor arrivals.

“Over the past two years we have experienced a significant increase in cruise arrivals and are pleased that this trend will continue into 2016,” said Shawn Crockwell, Minister of Tourism Development & Transport.

“Most importantly our strategy to find the right demographic of cruise vacationers is showing results. We are attracting the cruise lines, and therefore passengers, who will have the biggest impact on the local economy.”

Projections for 2016 forecast that a total of $91m will be ploughed into the Island’s economy in a combined total of government taxes, cruise passenger expenditure and crew member expenditure compared to $81 million this year.

“We can grow the St George’s number even more if Town Cut is widened,” said Mr Hanbury, “but that’s a decision we leave in the hands of East End residents and their elected officials.”

Royal Caribbean will be introducing their newly built Anthem of the Seas to Bermuda in 2016.

“Royal Caribbean’s introduction of the larger and newer Anthem of the Seas and Norwegian Cruise Line’s return of the Breakaway shows the major cruise lines commitment to providing Bermuda with their most modern cruise ships,” said Minister Crockwell.