ASIA Cruise Fund, founded by Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and the Taiwan Tourism Bureau (TTB) in April this year, has welcomed China’s Hainan and the Philippines as the alliance’s newest members at an official agreement held during the recent Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific conference in Hong Kong.
Hainan and the Philippines will become official members of the Asia Cruise Fund in December 2014 and April 2015 respectively.
The co-op fund’s four partners will work closely together to encourage the introduction of more cruise products, drive the development of the Asian cruise market and invite other ports in the region to enter this strategic alliance.
Wayne Liu, deputy director-general of TTB, said: “The Philippines and Hainan joining the co-op fund (will transform) the alliance from a single ‘line’ between two places to an entire ‘area’. We are confident that by linking the unique features of these four destinations, we will enrich the content of the Asian packages offered by cruise operators and strengthen their confidence in the Asian market. This will expand the scale and boost the competitiveness of this market, and further brighten the prospects of tourism in Asia.”
Philippine Department of Tourism secretary, Ramon R Jimenez, Jr, said: “The Philippines is now experiencing burgeoning Asian cruise business, attracting more and more cruise calls to its 7,107 beautiful island destinations. There has been a dramatic influx of cruise arrivals to the country with an average growth rate of 40 per cent over the last two years, which is expected to hit 50 per cent by year-end. This performance milestone has served as the driving force for the Philippines to take on a more active role in strengthening the promotion of the region’s cruise industry.”
Zhu Hongwu, deputy director of the Hainan Provincial Tourism Development Commission, said: “Cruise travel is now a highlight of Hainan tourism. Through participating in the Asia Cruise Fund, we want to attract cruise lines to develop more itineraries featuring Hainan. This will not only enhance the tourism industry of Hainan, but also bring about a win-win situation for Hainan and our partners.”
Peter Lam, chairman of HKTB, added: “Meanwhile, Hong Kong will continue to enrich its cruise offerings and promote its diverse onshore experiences, including unique cultural experiences and world-class dining and shopping, to cruise passengers from the region and around the world.”
