The year-on-year growth represents a 20.5% increase from the 3,370,000 Asian passengers in 2016 and is more than three times the global growth (6.3%), and way ahead of markets such as North America (5%) and Australia (4.4%).
Asia accounted for 15% of global passenger volume
Last month CLIA announced 26.7m passengers took seagoing vacations in 2017, up from the projected 25.8m and an 8% increase from the 24.7m in 2016.
Asia accounted for about 15% of total global ocean passenger volume in 2017, CLIA noted.
The region also had seven markets making it into the top 20 by cruise passenger volume with China, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and India all experiencing double-digit year-on-year growth as source markets.
Hong Kong and Malaysia fastest growth markets
The fastest growing markets were Hong Kong and Malaysia which both recorded more than 80% growth from 2016.
‘Cruising continues to be on an impressive progressive trajectory in Asia, gaining consumer interest and having a positive impact on the economy. With a comparatively low population penetration rate and limited awareness of cruising in many Asian markets, the potential is tremendous,’ said Joel Katz, md for CLIA Australasia & Asia.
‘Since the start of CLIA’s Asia office in 2017, we have made strong progress with introducing CLIA's training and accreditation programme, educating travel agents on everything cruise and how they can benefit from the current demand. We look forward to working with the industry to support the continued development of cruising in Asia.’
CLIA said a detailed Cruise Trends report for Asia will follow.
Asian source markets will be one focus of the Seatrade Cruise Asia Pacific event taking place in Baoshan District of Shanghai October 23-25, 2018. Registration is open.
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