Singapore paves the way for strong cruise recovery in region

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Southeast Asia welcomed its first cruise port name in over two years when Royal Caribbean’s (RCI) Spectrum of the Seas arrived at Malaysia’s Port Klang this morning. This shall be adopted intently by Resorts World Cruises’ Genting Dream, which is able to name at Indonesia’s Batam and Bintan on 2 July 2022. Both cruise ships are homeported in Singapore.

Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia are the first Southeast Asian international locations to renew port calls since cruising was halted in March 2020. Coupled with constructive discussions to renew comparable calls in extra ports and the alignment of well being protocols throughout the region, Singapore Tourism Board (STB) expects the cruise business in Singapore to return to pre-pandemic ranges between 2023 and 2024.

“The resumption of port calls is an important milestone for Singapore and the region,” stated Mr Keith Tan, Chief Executive, STB. “It has been made possible by the strong partnership and collective commitment in ASEAN to grow the cruise industry. Cruising is a key tourism driver, and as ASEAN’s lead coordinator for cruise development, Singapore will continue to work with our counterparts to strengthen the region’s attractiveness as a cruising destination and source market.”

Sailing in the direction of a strong recovery

Singapore’s strategic location, world-class air connectivity and port infrastructure make it a thriving cruise hub in Southeast Asia. Prior to COVID-19, Singapore’s cruise business loved sturdy progress. Over 400 cruise ships throughout 30 cruise manufacturers have been referred to as at our ports in 2019, with year-on-year progress in passenger throughput of greater than 1.8 million that yr.

Singapore is now rebuilding its strong pipeline of cruise ship deployments, and dealing with cruise strains to develop their buyer base – from regional markets corresponding to Indonesia and Malaysia to mid and long-haul markets corresponding to India, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Cruise has additionally captured a brand new wave of curiosity, profitable over first-time cruisers who didn’t contemplate cruising as a leisure possibility previous to COVID-19. Since Singapore restarted cruising in November 2020, over half one million passengers have sailed on practically 370 ‘cruise to nowhere’ sailings. As extra ships supply different itineraries for cruising out of Southeast Asia, these new cruisers are anticipated to help a strong rebound for the business.

“The return of cruising to destinations is timely, as countries around the region re-open to welcome visitors, revitalise their tourism sectors, and embrace the new normal. Our cruises already have so much to offer with technologically-advanced ships and an ever-expanding range of first-at-sea onboard activities. We look forward to developing more exciting itineraries for our guests in this region,” stated Ms Angie Stephen, Vice President and Managing Director, Asia-Pacific, Royal Caribbean International.

“We are committed to Singapore’s vision to be a premier cruise hub in Asia. Together with STB, we look forward to growing the cruise sector, including the fly-cruise segment; and to making Singapore and Southeast Asia one of the largest year-round cruise destinations in the world,” stated Mr Michael Goh, President of Resorts World Cruises.

A flying begin to cruise

The fly-cruise section can also be a key progress space that’s anticipated to rebound strongly, given Singapore’s reopening to all vaccinated travellers and the resumption of port calls. Prior to COVID-19, 70% of Singapore’s cruise passengers have been worldwide guests travelling to Singapore to take a cruise to discover Southeast Asia. The strong demand for fly-cruise will add to Singapore’s attraction as a homeport for cruise strains.

To put together for the return of fly-cruise travellers, STB will proceed to supply the Cruise Development Fund to encourage cruise strains to homeport in Singapore. Cruise brokers can even faucet on this grant to develop and market cruise packages. Through such partnerships, STB helps cruise brokers launch efficient advertising and marketing campaigns to advertise sailings from Singapore and showcase attractive cruise and land experiences, in flip attracting extra travellers and cruise converts to our shores.

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