SANTO DOMINGO.- The cruise ship industry’s contribution for Dominican Republic is dynamism created by the money tourists spend once they step ashore, Tourism Ministry studies say, and that each liner that docks in one of the country’s ports contributes US$200,000 to the economy.

The figures show that the passengers and crew of the around 400 cruise ships which arrived in 2009 mostly in Santo Domingo, Samaná and La Romana spent a total of nearly US$80 million.

Tourism vice minister Magaly Toribio yesterday said she expects a 5% jump in cruise ship arrivals this year.

Santo Domingo features the ports Sans Soucí and Don Diego, of international category, inaugurated last year with a major investment.

Sans Soucí is a mother port with cruises setting out to the entire Caribbean region, whereas the one at Samaná has been developed for many years, but has yet to receive a large number of tourists.

The ports of call, where people who arrive are transported to the city, include La Romana, another important zone which has been developed over the years.

Yesterday the Tourism Ministry and the Florida and Caribbean Cruise Line Association announced the 17th annual conference and cruise ship exhibit, from October 25 to 29 in Santo Domingo, an event for which the country was selected to recognize its sustained cruise industry growth.