KEY WEST, Florida (5 Feb 2003) -- Fears that this 2-by-4-mile island paradise town is becoming overwhelmed by its own popularity as a cruise destination are prompting the city to debate whether it should impose restrictions on cruise ship calls. City officials -- spurred by a backlash against a jump in cruise passengers by Key West residents, environmentalists, and hoteliers -- are weighing the potential impact of restricting cruise passengers on this island at the southern tip of Florida's peninsula. "In the last year or so, we've seen a big increase of cruise passengers," said Key West Mayor Jimmy Weekley. "I think sometimes the city is a little more dependent on cruise ships than we need to be." The city has not proposed any restrictions yet, but the mayor plans to study the issue later this year. More than 970,000 passengers from 525 ships are projected to disembark in Key West the fiscal year ending in September -- an increase of 42,000 passengers in the last year. Key West's budget for its 26,000 residents derives $2.5 million in revenue from industry fees, such as an $8-per-passenger port charge. Swarms of passengers, sometimes up to 6,000 on a busy day, flock to Key West's historic Old Town district and Duval Street, a downtown drag known for its lively clubs, restaurants, and T-shirt and jewelry shops. Average passenger spending in Key West is $50 to $100, city officials estimate. In December alone, Key West tallied 123,200 passengers from 78 ships. "We want guests who are appreciative of our cultural aspects. This is the issue we as a community have to decide," said Peter Ilchuk, president of the Lodging Association of the Florida Keys and Key West, during a recent meeting of Last Stand, a 400-member group of environmentalists. GROWING POPULARITY Key West has grown as a popular port of call because of its location about 160 miles south of the Port of Miami, making it a convenient stop for western Caribbean itineraries on three- to five-day cruises. Since the Sept. 11 attacks, many U.S. passengers are taking shorter trips that are closer to home, industry experts say. "There's a growth of ships out of Florida markets from the ports of Miami and Fort Lauderdale," said Bob Sharak, executive director of New York-based Cruise Lines International Association, representing 24 cruise lines and 17,000 travel agents. "Key West and Cozumel can be paired on a single itinerary." | | The cruise association projects about 8 million North American passengers this year, compared to 7.4 million in 2002. "Key West has character. It works well," said Jennifer de la Cruz of Carnival Cruise Lines, which averages two weekly ship calls in Key West. "It's a concentrated location, and guests can walk into the main part of town easily." But Key West fishers say the influx of giant cruise ships is impacting precious fishing resources near the world's third-largest barrier reef. Environmental groups too are saying more environmental regulations are needed. "There's more public scrutiny in Key West over what color you paint your shutters," said Nancy Klingener of The Ocean Conservancy. TOURISM BASE Key West is not alone in struggling with its tourism-driven economy. In past years, nearby Caribbean islands also have debated quality-of-life issues, the ability to lure passengers back as hotel guests, and ship pollution control. Since 1993, the U.S. government has fined 10 cruise lines more than $48.5 million for illegal dumping and contamination of U.S. waters. Last year, Carnival Corp. was fined $18 million for falsifying ship records to cover up dumping of oily bilge waste water in U.S. waters. Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruises have also been fined. Of recent fines, little is earmarked for cleaning up waters in the Florida Keys, although the Nature Conservancy in Key West received $250,000 for a regional water program. Key West's mayor said he hopes to launch a city-sponsored study of the industry's impact on quality of life. But without the industry, Key West property taxes could rise 23 percent. "Everybody would agree there needs to be a limit in place," Key West's Weekly said. "But there needs to be a balance." SOURCE - ENN |
