SINGAPORE Tourism Board (STB) is highlighting the need to build a “robust cruise ecosystem” even as rising interest in cruising has sparked off more shore excursions in the city-state.
Said STB’s assistant chief executive, Neeta Lachmandas, during STB’s annual The Business of Cruise workshop yesterday: “It is essential for Singapore to build up our ancillary services to be ready and well equipped for the expected growth in cruising.”
Annie Chang, deputy director, cruise at STB, added that each player in the ecosystem – comprising cruise lines, terminal operators, cruise suppliers, travel consultants, attractions, airlines, ground handlers, hoteliers as well as the dining and retail sectors – would have to play a part to maximise the economic benefits of cruising for Singapore.
Bob Guy, managing director of Destination Asia (Singapore & Malaysia), pointed out that growing cruise business has led to a bottleneck situation. “When cruise liners come and put 2,000 passengers at the terminals and out into Singapore, it can be a big problem logistically if not managed well.”
Agreeing, World Express’ managing director, Darren Tan, said: “Imagine what would happen if the whole group (of cruise passengers) decides to visit the Night Safari, and everyone arrives at the same time.”
“We do see that the destination is top priority, especially for the longhaul market. The destination is the product as they will explore the country when the ship calls here,” he said.
Giving an example, Noel Hawkes, vice president of resort operations at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), said the express passes at Universal Studios Singapore (USS) would come in handy for cruise groups.
“What we promise cruise passengers is flexibility as they can fully maximise their time with our tailormade programmes…from breakfast with Elmo in USS to viewing the aquatic animals in Marine Life Park, all within a few hours.”
Cruise passengers currently make up less than one per cent of the integrated resort’s visitors, but RWS hopes to grow the figure to three per cent within three years, Hawkes said.
Singapore will host Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific from October 9-10 at Marina Bay Sands.
