John Tercek, vp new business development at Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., sees emerging markets in the northern hemisphere as more proactive with port development. He cited the Port of Busan, South Korea, as an example of how cruise lines and governments can work together to develop port facilities that operate efficiently and cost-effectively.
'The China–Korea route is becoming the route,' Tercek said.
Jinsun Shin, representing the Port of Busan, shared what the South Korean government is doing to ensure that this remains so. Strong government support and initiatives include constructing new terminals and expanding existing terminals to accommodate the world’s largest cruise ships.
Shin also discussed homeport developments to entice visitors as well as marketing programs aimed to boost domestic demand.
Conversely, port development in Brazil faces some challenges.
Gianluca Suprani, head of global port development and shore activities for MSC Cruises, noted that some ports in Brazil have built new terminals that are not adapted to cruisers’ needs. Rio de Janeiro, for example, doesn’t even have an exclusive area for cruise ships.
Moreover, the cost to dock in Brazil is becoming prohibitively expensive.
Tercek lamented that not all governments understand the business opportunities the cruise industry can bring to their countries.
(Reporting courtesy of 'Cruise Shipping Miami Today')
