The importance of collaboration reverberated throughout CruiseXchange’s Mapping Asia’s Cruise Development fireside chat on Tuesday morning, with cruise industry veterans on the panel highlighting positive outcomes in responsible tourism development and regional cruise tourism industry prosperity when partnerships are done right.
The panel featured Patricia Yuen, director of cruise at the Hong Kong Tourism Board, who also delivered the CruiseXchange keynote; Oliviero Morelli, president of MSC Cruises Japan and South Korea; and Diana Bloss, co-founder and director of operations at Worldwide Cruise Associates.
While panellists acknowledged that cruise ships would deposit many travellers onto a destination at once, they said cooperation among partners could prevent congestion and inconveniences to both cruise passengers and local residents.
Yuen explained that Hong Kong Tourism Board, port managers, cruise lines and other tourism suppliers work very closely to ensure a seamless flow of cruise passengers from ship, through to the city, and back.
She added that cruise tourism plays an important role in the well-being of Hong Kong’s tourism industry, as it creates jobs for a large segment of locals, and drives business to many local companies.
“The benefit is not Hong Kong’s alone. Cruise ships employ a large crew, and deployments allow them to make a living,” Yuen said.
Intensifying collaboration is also seen between cruise lines and destinations to develop meaningful shore excursions, especially as corporate interest in authentic and unique experiences spikes.
Morelli shared that more corporate event planners from China, Japan, and Taiwan are opting to host events onboard cruise ships. These participants, he said, tended to seek out experiences that incorporate local culture, festivals, and events.
Environmentally-conscious excursions were also gaining in popularity, he added.
Panellists emphasised that opportunities to engage in meaningful shore excursions contribute to regenerative tourism, as travellers’ interest in disappearing trade and arts, as well as authentic local practices, will help to sustain them.
Another valuable outcome of collaboration is the opportunity to further develop Asia’s cruise tourism industry.
Yuen opined that a regional strategy to promote multiple Asian ports would encourage cruise lines to expand their programmes in the region.
A prime example of such cooperation was showcased at Seatrade Cruise Global in April, where Hong Kong and members of the Asia Cruise Cooperation hosted a lunch to highlight cruise developments in the region, to entice cruise lines. Members in the 10-year alliance include South Korea, Taiwan, China’s Xiamen and Hainan, and the Philippines. – Additional reporting by Karen Yue
