EAST Asia’s cruise tourism is set to receive a boost with Worldwide Cruise Terminals (WCT) and Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC) having signed a letter of intent earlier this week for wide-ranging cooperation in developing the industry.
Under the agreement, major focus areas of the agreement include encouraging cruise operators to develop itineraries that include Hong Kong and Taiwan, and promoting policies that give impetus to marine passenger transport.
WCT and TIPC will also exchange marine transport information and techniques, undertake joint sales and promotion of the passenger transportation business, and share operational and management experience through an exchange of personnel and visits.
“(The) promotion of cruise destinations is a team game in which nearby ports of call must work closely together to raise service standards and jointly attract more cruise lines to visit,” said Jeff Bent, managing director of WCT.
The port operator runs the newly launched Kai Tak Cruise Terminal in Hong Kong (TTG Asia e-Daily, June 13, 2013), and shareholders include Worldwide Flight Services, Shun Tak Holdings and Royal Caribbean Cruises.
“We are fortunate to have found a partner in TIPC that operates an extensive range of attractive ports of call, enabling cruise lines to create a diverse selection of itineraries,” Bent added.
TIPC was established in 2012 and manages seven international ports in Taiwan.
