Progreso schedules over 100 cruises for 2022

Tourism in Progreso has increased dramatically over the past few months, but business owners say they are still wary. Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht

Port authorities in Progreso have announced that the city is expecting the arrival of more than 100 cruises in 2022. 

“Fortunately we are seeing things get much better, and we expect that by 2023 arrivals to Progreso will have fully recovered,” said Raúl Paz Noreiga, of Yucatán’s state tourism department. 

During 2019, Progreso attracted 146 cruises and nearly half a million cruisegoers, making it Mexico’s sixth busiest cruise port for that year. 

Cozumel, Mexico’s largest cruise destination, recently reported that all cruising companies operating in the state before the COVID-19 pandemic have now resumed operations.

Cruisegoers in Progreso enjoy the beach and snapping photos. Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht 

The announcement comes as the cruising industry has begun to bounce back globally over the past few months after the COVID-19 pandemic all but shut down the sector for nearly a year and a half. 

In July, Progreso welcomed its first cruise in just over 16 months, marking a hopeful but cautious first milestone toward the industry’s recovery in Yucatán.

Earlier: Progreso’s boardwalk is now for pedestrians only and reactions are mixed

Since that time, cruise ships have begun to trickle back to Yucatán, to the relief of restaurant and shop owners, as well as souvenir shop operators along the boardwalk. 

Municipal authorities in Progreso have also made several improvements during the past couple of years. Examples include a redesign of its boardwalk and several new attractions for children.

The port city has also become Yucatán’s first disability-inclusive beach and worked to receive international certification for complying with various environmental protection standards.

Progreso also recently made headlines after Yucatán Gov. Mauricio Vila Dosal announced the construction of the Americas’ largest shipyard

Located to the north of Mérida, Progreso is already one of Mexico’s most important ports and already boasts the world’s largest pier, which stretches 6.5 kilometers into the Gulf of Mexico.

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