Cruise tourism is growing fast, and the Caribbean stands to capture most of that expansion. Figures presented at an international tourism conference in Puerto Rico point to roughly 21 million cruise passengers in the region in 2031. That would be nearly double the 11 million recorded in 2019. Suriname sits at the edge of this booming market and could benefit from the growing demand. The country does get occasional cruise calls, but it has never built a full-fledged cruise harbor. Without proper berthing facilities, Paramaribo cannot handle the larger ships that dominate the business. Cruise guests spend money quickly in nearby shops and eateries, which makes them attractive visitors. The gap between regional growth and local infrastructure is now Suriname's main hurdle.