With a population close to 3 bn, Asia is almost double the size of all the current leading cruise theatres put together, and boasts an as yet largely untapped source market. Since the inaugural Seatrade All Asia Cruise Convention in 2008, the cruise market in China has seen rapid development. Regulations have been eased, there has been marked government support for the industry and ports have been investing in the development of terminals and infrastructure…
With a population close to 3 bn, Asia is almost double the size of all the current leading cruise theatres put together, and boasts an as yet largely untapped source market. Since the inaugural Seatrade All Asia Cruise Convention in 2008, the cruise market in China has seen rapid development. Regulations have been eased, there has been marked government support for the industry and ports have been investing in the development of terminals and infrastructure.
Lu Haihu, Chairman, Shanghai International Port Group made these remarks during the keynote address at the Seatrade All Asia Cruise Convention 2010.
During the opening conference session, Michael Bayley, EVP, Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited, touched on the subject of Asian source market size and where it is headed, comparing the penetration rates versus population in other markets: Cruising’s penetration is 3.2% in North America, about 1% in Europe and less than 0.05% in Asia. With a population close to 3bn, Asia has the potential to reach 40m cruisers in 30 years, he said.
‘Whilst that is an outrageous number there were only 500,000 cruisers in North America 35 years ago. I think 5m Asian cruisers by 2020 is not unrealistic at this stage,’ he remarked.
Elsewhere in the convention, the Asia Cruise Association (ACA) signed two Memoranda of Understanding with the China Cruise and Yacht Industry Association (CCYIA) and Asia Cruise Terminals Operators Network (ACTON) during a press conference yesterday.
Asia Cruise Terminal Operators Network (ACTON) was also inaugurated. The 12 members are located in China, Malaysia and Philippines and include operators in the Chinese ports of Shanghai, Tianjin, Xiamen, Sanya, Qingdao and Yantai plus Malaysia’s Pulau Indah and Kota Kinabalu and Manila Harbour South from the Philippines. ACTON was announced at Seatrade All Asia and during a press conference the new association also signed up as associate members of Asia Cruise Association (ACA) and Asia Cruise Services Network (ACSN), who themselves officially launched at the event yesterday. ACSN is made up of 16 independently owned ground-handling companies from across the region. Members held a reception on their exhibition stand today, where they offered food and drink from a selection of the countries represented.
Compelling reasons for the world’s cruise lines to be in Asia
The Asia Cruise Association (ACA) members’ ships collectively made a total of 1445 port calls around Asia in 2009 and this is expected to increase to 2001, representing a marked 38% growth for 2010. Conference delegates at the Seatrade All Asia Cruise Convention last week heard how, in China alone, the middle class is expected to surpass 1bn people by 2020. With discretionary consumption typically increasing alongside per capita income, this will translate into higher demand for recreational activities. Driving the forecast increase in Asian cruising is also demand from other regional source markets, in particular Japan, Korea and India plus the fastest growing market, Australia.
On its final day, Friday 25 June, the Seatrade All Asia Cruise Convention opened its exhibition hall to the public. Hundreds of interested Shanghainese packed the venue to find out more about cruise lifestyle from the organisers and exhibitors.
The second Seatrade All Asia Cruise Convention was organised by Seatrade in association with Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration, Shanghai Municipal Hongkou District People’s Government and Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG). The event was sponsored by the China Cruise & Yacht Industry Association (CCYIA), Costa Crociere SpA, Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services, Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited and Shanghai International Port Terminal (SPICT). The Asia Cruise Association (ACA), Suzhou Tourism Board and SICMO are supporters of Seatrade All Asia.
Some 600 delegates and 150 Chinese travel agents have attended the second Seatrade All Asia Cruise Convention, along with 1400 visitors to the showcase exhibition. Last night convention participants enjoyed a “Shanghai Night” themed gala dinner at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
