As the first international cruise company to enter the Asian market, Costa Cruises recognizes Asia as an important growth market. In particular, Singapore holds a key position in the region and has been gearing up to become a major cruise hub in Asia.
SINGAPORE – Costa Cruises now offers extended cruise itineraries from Singapore with Costa Victoria in 2012 and Costa Atlantica in 2013. Costa Atlantica will sail into Southeast Asia for the first time in May 2013 with Singapore as its homeport. To cap off these new offerings, Costa Cruises is partnering with the Singapore Tourism Board and Changi Airport Group to tap into the growth potential in Asia by developing the passenger source markets for cruises out of Singapore.
Plans are in place to conduct marketing initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region to promote Costa’s cruises out of Singapore. To heighten awareness of cruising as a desired travel option, advertising, product seminars for travel industry partners and brochures will be launched in markets across the region including Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and India.
As the first international cruise company to enter the Asian market, Costa Cruises recognizes Asia as an important growth market. In particular, Singapore holds a key position in the region and has been gearing up to become a major cruise hub in Asia.
“Singapore is a unique world city, famous for its blend of culture, cuisine, arts and architecture. We are excited to have this Asian world-class partner on board,” said Gianni Onorato, president of Costa Cruises. “We are committed to a long-term partnership, which will allow our companies to pursue our future growth in the cruise industry across the Asia region.”
According to Singapore Tourism Board sources, Singapore welcomed 394 ship calls and 942,000 in passenger throughput in 2011. From 2002 to 2011, the compounded annual growth rate in cruise passengers was 3.6 percent. During 2012-13, the cruise landscape is set to become even more exciting with major cruise lines either increasing their presence in Southeast Asia or deploying new vessels to Singapore.
“Singapore Tourism Boards vision to grow the Asian cruise industry is shared by regional governments, industry partners and major cruise lines, including Costa Cruises,” said Lionel Yeo, chief executive of the tourism board. “The concurrent presence of Costa Victoria and Costa Atlantica adds further credence to the growth potential and Singapores position as a homeport of choice for cruise lines. Supported by the opening of Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore and a rejuvenated Singapore Cruise Centre, Singapore is well equipped to serve as the gateway to Southeast Asia.”
“This tripartite collaboration between Changi Airport, Costa Cruises and Singapore Tourism Board represents the synergistic efforts by the key stakeholders to work together to grow the Fly-Cruise segment in Singapore,” said Lee Seow Hiang, chief executive officer of Changi Airport Group. “Changi Airport’s strong connectivity to more than 200 cities worldwide not only serves to complement the tourism board’s vision of developing Singapore into an Asian cruise hub, but also supports Costa’s new cruise offerings in Singapore.”
Having seen strong potential in the Singapore market, Costa Cruises recently launched three-, four-, seven- and 14- night itineraries on Costa Victoria from Singapore to Malaysia and Thailand.
In May 2013 Costa Cruises will deploy a second cruise ship, Costa Atlantica (85,700 gross tonnage, 2,680 total guest capacity), to the region. The dual positioning of Costa Victoria and Costa Atlantica in Asia demonstrates the continued commitment of Costa Cruises to the region, boasting a combined daily passenger capacity of 5,074, which represents a 90 percent increase in Costa’s “Italy at Sea” inspired cruises.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
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