The northern B.C. port town saw a 230% increase in cruise ship passengers, compared to 2019.
Prince Rupert’s tourism sector saw big benefits from the pent-up demand to travel, following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The 2022 cruise season was the ninth largest in Prince Rupert’s history and we are greatly encouraged by the strong return of the cruise tourism sector,” Prince Rupert Port Authority president and CEO Shaun Stevenson said in the statement.
“Going forward, Prince Rupert is uniquely positioned within the Alaska cruise theatre with immense potential for growth, particularly in regard to developing new opportunities for Indigenous-led tourism and eco-tourism in our region,” Stevenson added. "Tourism Prince Rupert was thrilled to see the return of cruise ships to Prince Rupert as it signified a strong rebound in the tourism sector after two very challenging seasons. Cruise provides a significant opportunity to our local tourism operators to access a unique pool of international clients, and for our local businesses to benefit from an economic influx into our community,” Tourism Prince Rupert executive director Ceilidh Marlow said.