SECTUR Announces First Mexican Cruise Line

(Mexico City, AN 26 January) Gloria Guevara Manzo, head of the federal Department of Tourism, announced yesterday the launching on April 10 of “Ocean Star Cruises,” a Mexican-flag cruise ship line expected to generate more than USD$300 million in annual income for the tourist industry. The ship will leave from Acapulco’s harbor and visit six points on Mexico’s Pacific coast. The official pointed out that Mexico is the number one international tourism destination in the world, and the second in terms of cruise ship tourism. The ship is considered “world class” with capacity of around 1200 passengers and 750 crew members. No visas or passports will be required to board the cruise ship. Its planned ports of call are Huatulco, Acapulco, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo and Los Cabos. The project has been under development for nearly a decade.