HONG Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and Taiwan Tourism Bureau (TTB) yesterday announced they would be jointly setting up the world’s first Asia Cruise Fund.
Effective April 1 and running for three years, the regional co-operation fund will comprise contributions from participating ports and be used to subsidise cruise companies for developing and marketing cruise products.
A major requirement is that cruise lines must deploy vessels to at least two participating ports or territories in a single itinerary.
HKTB executive director, Anthony Lau, said: “The launch of the fund marks a significant step towards regional cruise cooperation, which is vital if the industry is to successfully tap the potential created by the growing population of Asia’s middle class and booming outbound travel over the next decade.
“We believe the fund will show our dedication and commitment to cruise tourism development and reinforce cruise operators’ confidence in deploying more ships to Asia, benefiting not only the participating ports but also cruise lines and other industry stakeholders.”
Commissioner for tourism of the Hong Kong SAR Government, Philip Yung, said: “The Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, which are targeted for completion in the coming few years, will significantly improve connectivity between Hong Kong and southern China.
“By working with neighbouring ports in the region, we believe we can make Asia an opportunity too good to miss for international cruise companies – both as a destination and a rich source of potential passengers.”
Asia holds huge potential for the cruise industry as by 2030, around two-thirds of the world’s middle class will be based in this region, according to a recent report by the UN Development Program.
