The ministers reiterated their commitment to develop Southeast Asia into a vibrant cruise destination. They noted that by 2035 cruise passengers would reach approximately 4.5m, according to a Bermello Ajamil & Partners report. They plan to develop the Joint Declaration of Cruise Tourism as part of the cruise work plans under the ASEAN Tourism Competitiveness Committee.
The decision came on the heels of the inaugural 'Cruise Dialogue' organised by Singapore, the ASEAN cruise lead coordinator.
The commitment was announced after the 20th meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers, held in conjunction with the 36th ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF), hosted by Singapore. At ATF, government officials got a deeper insight into the cruise industry and created a platform for collaborations in port development. Ministers also toured Mariner of the Seas to better appreciate the latest offerings and the infrastructure required for cruise ships.
In keeping with ATF’s 2017 theme, 'Shaping Our Tourism Journey Together,' the ministers discussed plans to enhance Southeast Asia as an integrated, inclusive and sustainable tourism destination for the future. The Joint Declaration will set principles that spur port and destination development, further enticing industry stakeholders and member states to collaborate and grow cruise tourism in the region.
The ministers also examined how cruise lines and entities like the World Bank could partner with ASEAN member states to support cruise port development. They noted member states’ undertakings to develop cruising, including Indonesia’s efforts in Bali and beyond. Indonesia is prioritizing infrastructure development in five ports: Tanjung Priok, Tanjung Perak, Belawan, Makaasar and Benow, Bali, so they can berth larger cruise ships.
The ministers are also reviewing immigration clearance processes to ensure consistency across checkpoints and communication channels.
Meanwhile, the Philippines have implemented a National Cruise Tourism Development Strategy to look at infrastructure and destination development, and refine regulations and processes.
The ministers welcomed the finalization of the United Nations World Tourism Organization report on Sustainable Cruise Tourism Development Strategies. The report was commissioned to gain an understanding of sustainable development practices across the region and analysed cruise tourism in ASEAN countries that participated in the study. It also touched on some of the best practices around the world to provide a reference for ASEAN countries as they develop their own sustainable cruise tourism strategies.
Based on primary submissions by member states, ASEAN is estimated to have received 116m international visitors in 2016, a 6.5% increase from 2015. The arrivals were dominated by intra-ASEAN travel, accounting for 43% of total international travel.
Providing clear marketing directions, a Visit ASEAN@Golden Celebration campaign would include joint efforts to showcase the region's rich diversity and promote ASEAN as a single tourism destination with multi-country packages. The collaborative campaign will feature 50 ASEAN festivals and travel experiences, and an array of special offers and travel deals.
At the heart of the campaign is the recognition of the strong connectivity among ASEAN member countries, with various flight connections for easy travel to destinations in Southeast Asia.
The region is also increasingly popular for cruises, and visitors can experience Southeast Asia’s variety of cultures, cuisines and sights in a single sailing. The tourism promotion campaign aims to generate more interest, with cruising as one of the best ways to explore Southeast Asia’s 25,000 islands and 37 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
According to Cruise Lines International Association, 3.8m passengers are expected to cruise in Asia annually by 2020. Southeast Asia touts its year-round warm weather, diverse beaches and cultures to capture the growing interest in cruising in Asia.
Annie Chang, director, cruise, Singapore Tourism Board, said the collective efforts will continue at the Seatrade Cruise Global conference and exhibition in March. Southeast Asia is set to have its largest joint representation at the event, with five countries co-locating their exhibition booths under the 'Cruise Southeast Asia' brand.
A trade reception will be hosted together as a group, Chang added.
Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. Seatrade, a trading name of Informa Markets (UK) Limited. Add Seatrade Cruise News to your Google News feed.
