Cruise season is underway as the Norwegian Bliss became the first of the season to arrive in Victoria.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檒l be 315 ships calling into Victoria and about 910,000 passengers,B次元官网网址� said Robert Lewis-Manning, CEO of Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.

However, he said the cruise ship season will not be as big as last year in Victoria, as some will travel to other parts of B.C., such as Prince Rupert. Victoria is a part of the Alaskan cruise market, according to Lewis-Manning, and many will include the Capital Region in their itinerary.

B次元官网网址淪hips will come into Victoria before they head back to Seattle.B次元官网网址�

VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 tourism market continues to improve post-COVID-19, said Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto.

B次元官网网址淚 am pretty confident it will be a fantastic season.B次元官网网址�

Alto is looking forward to welcoming new guests to Victoria, adding it is important to create an experience that people want to come back for.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not just this time that theyB次元官网网址檙e here. ItB次元官网网址檚 the impact of the return visits, which is so important to the visitor industry.B次元官网网址�

ItB次元官网网址檚 also about knowing what makes people want to visit a location when travelling abroad, Alto said.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 important for people not just to want to live there, but actually to visit and consider coming back.B次元官网网址�

The demand for cruises is becoming stronger, said Lewis-Manning, with advanced booking going into 2025 and 2026.

B次元官网网址淚 think thereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of optimism that people are going to experience this region,B次元官网网址� he said.

According to Alto, more cruises will mean more people in the streets of Victoria, creating a large volume of customers and crowds.

B次元官网网址淭he flipside of volume is that it brings a lot of interest and money into the city.B次元官网网址�

READ MORE: