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Costa teams again with STB and Changi Airport to grow Asia’s fly cruise market

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Costa Cruises, Singapore Tourism Board and Changi Airport Group ink another partnership to help grow fly cruise market in Asia
Costa Cruises has entered its second tripartite partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Changi Airport Group (CAG).

The three-year tripartite partnership will leverage Costa’s global presence, Singapore’s cruise hub status and Changi Airport’s air hub connectivity to further enhance Southeast Asia’s appeal as a cruise destination.

100,000 international fly cruise visitors expected

The partnership will see joint-marketing initiatives rolled out in different countries where Costa operates worldwide, and includes creating packages especially for Costa’s guests. It is expected to bring in over 100,000 international fly cruise visitors to Singapore over three years.

Currently Costa has four ships out of the total of 14 based in Asia year-round. Costa Fortuna will be homeported at Singapore from mid-November 2018 to March 2019.

‘We are thrilled to strengthen the opportunity to further develop such an exotic destination like Singapore, where Costa has a longstanding presence and which offer a big potential for the cruise holiday market thanks also to the presence of the international Changi Airport,’ said Neil Palomba, president of Costa Cruises.

In 2017, Singapore welcomed 421 ship calls and logged a passenger throughput of 1.38m. This represents an increase of 3% and 17% respectively over 2016 figures.

Costa has homeported in Singapore for over 10 years

‘STB is delighted to enter into another partnership with Costa Cruises and Changi Airport Group. Costa Cruises is a valued partner that has homeported out of Singapore for over 10 years. This latest collaboration will leverage Costa’s strong brand in key long-haul markets in Europe to further diversify our cruise visitor source markets, and strengthen Singapore’s position as the region’s homeport of choice,’ said Yap Chin Siang, assistant chief executive, policy & planning group of STB.

Changi Airport connected to more than 400 cities

Changi Airport Group’s md for air hub development, Lim Ching Kiat said, ‘With Changi Airport’s strong air connectivity to more than 400 cities worldwide, Singapore is well-positioned to serve as a cruise hub for the region. We are excited to enter a second tripartite partnership with Costa Cruises and Singapore Tourism Board, as this will provide greater opportunity to grow the fly&cruise segment – part of our strategy to provide sustained growth for our partners and the Changi air hub.’

Royal Caribbean and Princess have previously also inked partnerships with STB and Changi Airport to help grow the fly cruise market out of Singapore.