SAINT JOHN, N.B. - The Saint John Port Authority predicts almost 300,000 passengers and crew from cruise ships will visit the city this year.

The agency says that will generate $30 million in direct expenditures in the New Brunswick city.

Andrew Dixon, vice-president of marketing and development for the port authority, delivered the data in a stakeholders meeting on the future of the industry.

Dixon says Saint John is fast becoming the most popular destination for cruise ships in Atlantic Canada and currently ranks fourth among the most visited ports in the country.

Dixon says more than half of the vessels visiting Saint John will come through the port in the months of September and October on fall foliage visits.