AS part of South Korea’s broader tourism strategy, policymakers there are lining up a series of initiatives to bolster the development of the country’s domestic cruise industry.
Under the proposed measures, the government will allow local cruise ship operators to open on-board casinos to foreigners, introduce a tonnage tax system for cruise operators—similar to what is already in existence for cargo ships, as well as provide education programmes to train service staff and other maritime-related workers.
Piers will be constructed exclusively for cruise ships, port charges will be lowered and other supporting infrastructure will be built to lure more foreign cruise liners to South Korea.
In addition, the government is hoping to nurture a first homegrown cruise operator, as demand for cruise travel is projected to rise, particularly from neighbouring China.
Speaking to TTG Asia e-Daily at the recently concluded Cruise Shipping Asia 2011, Wook-Kyun Kim, vice chairman and co-founder, AJU Incentive Tours (Korea) said: “Without a doubt, the cruise market in North-east Asia is set to benefit from the positive developments in South Korea.”
There are also plans in motion to grant visa waivers for foreign visitors who arrive by cruise ship.
“The Korean Ministry of Land and Marine transport has debated over this issue (visa waiver) for awhile, and this, alongside the various port developments, will certainly help to put Korea on the cruise map,” said Jong Woo Lim, manager-strategic tourism product team, Korea Tourism Organisation.
An international cruise terminal currently being built at Yeosu (TTG Asia e-Daily, November 17) is due to open in 2012, while Busan’s international cruise terminal, situated in a revitalised lifestyle and leisure zone and scheduled for completion in 2014, is expected to boost South Korea’s status as a cruise hub and destination.
Presently, only two ports in the country, Jeju and Busan, are able to accommodate large cruise ships.
