This five-year tripartite collaboration, the longest ever, is expected to bring some 623,000 international fly-cruise visitors to Singapore, and generate over S$430m in tourism receipts between end-2019 and 2024.
The announcement of this partnership is in tandem with news of the cruise line’s five-year Quantum Class deployment in Singapore, which includes Quantum of the Seas.
Spurring growth for Singapore’s fly-cruise scene
To kick off the partnership, Quantum of the Seas arrives fresh from her multimillion-dollar refurbishment for her six-month homeporting season in Singapore – Royal Caribbean’s longest ever Singapore deployment for a Quantum Class ship – which is expected to add some 150,000 overseas and local guests to the local cruising scene.
According to the cruise line, Singapore’s homeport status, world-class port infrastructure, and seamless connectivity to other destinations around the world positions the city as a crucial destination in Royal Caribbean’s regional strategy.
Angie Stephen, Managing Director, Asia-Pacific of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. said, ‘Travel habits are constantly evolving, and holidaymakers in the region are increasingly looking to visit and explore more destinations in one vacation trip. Alongside Singapore Tourism Board and Changi Airport Group, we aim to offer more reasons for travellers to come to Singapore for a fly-cruise experience.
‘This tripartite partnership marks a significant milestone in our 50th year as a global cruise brand, and our work here in Singapore has played a huge role in driving our growth regionally.
Larger deployments in future
‘Together with the five-year homeporting season of our Quantum Class ships, this sets the stage for us to further grow Singapore as the cruise hub of Asia, preparing the region for larger deployments in the future, where we will welcome even newer and bigger ships,’ she added.
The five-year partnership is expected to generate at least 60% higher tourism receipts compared to the previous partnerships combined. The first partnership ran from 2015 till 2018 to market Mariner of the Seas, followed by another three-year partnership launched in 2017 for Ovation of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas. Both partnerships have generated strong tourism dollars of S$260m.
Annie Chang, Director, Cruise, Singapore Tourism Board, said, ‘We are pleased to once again partner Royal Caribbean and Changi Airport Group to grow cruising in Singapore and Southeast Asia. This being Royal Caribbean’s longest Singapore homeport deployment with a larger ship underscores its confidence in Singapore and the region. Royal Caribbean is always at the forefront of innovation and the latest deployment of Quantum of the Seas will diversify our cruise offerings, entrenching Singapore as a top fly-cruise hub in Asia.’
Fly-cruise fast-growing passenger segment
Fly-cruise is a fast-growing passenger segment in Singapore, with cruise numbers rising steadily in recent years.
From December 1, 2019, Royal Caribbean guests from China will be able to enjoy this seamless transfer service as part of new fly-cruise travel packages for sailing out of Singapore.
Peh Ke-Wei, Changi Airport Group’s Vice President of Passenger Development, Air Hub Development said, ‘We see great potential in Singapore’s fly-cruise market and are excited to work with our partners to generate higher traffic for long-term growth. We believe the launch of our new seamless transfer service offers end-to-end convenience for our fly-cruise passengers and enhances their travel experience.’
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