Qingdao Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit 2018 Exclusive Interview: Cruise, A Heyday Voyage Trailblazer

Cruise tourism, like other forms of tourism, has positive impact on economy. A CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) report shows that, cruise tourism generated an estimated of $126 billion in total output of goods and services throughout the global economy during 2016, and more than 1million jobs were required.

Among the overall output, the direct expenditures by passengers, crew members and cruise lines are the driving force of the industry’s contribution to the local economy. Moreover, cruise lines’ purchase for cruise operations, including food and beverages, hotel supplies, bunker fuel and utilities while in port, and advertising, promotion, travel agent commissions and other service fees also account for a large portion of local expenditures.

Additionally, investment in infrastructure such as ports, terminals and transportation as well as cruise ship building and maintenance, etc. can generate huge economic value.

“Silk Road” voyage

Carnival Corporation, the largest cruise and leisure company in the world, has been proactively creating diversified cruise products to enhance culture communications all over the world. Recent successful examples related to China and the Maritime Silk Road showed our constant endeavor:

In May 2017, Carnival Corporation worked with the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and launched a “Silk Road” voyage from Rome to Shanghai on the Majestic Princess, a newly-built cruise ship. The voyage presented to over 7,000 international tourists fantastic Chinese operas and dances, calligraphy and paintings and delicious traditional foods. Earlier, a cruise ona, another brand under Carnival Corporation, brought some 2,000 Chinese guests to 14 ports of 9 countries in the South Pacific Ocean. In March 2019, Costa Venezia, a tailor-made ship for China, will start another inaugural Silk Road cruise trip from Italy to China to commemorate Marco Polo’s famous journeys between the two countries.

Look forward to government policy support & deep cooperations

For urban cities that are reachable by cruises, we suggest the local governments put more emphasis on cruise tourism development for both home port and transit port calls. It is important to develop more local attractions for shore excursions as well as special tour products and experience for cruise passengers. The local governments should invest more in promoting the overall image for the cities by advertising and other activities.

In addition, governments should work together to establish more convenient visa policies, cruise-friendly customs clearance and port policies so that cruise operators and travel agents can develop more attractive itineraries and products and boost local outbound and inbound tourism.

Supported by WTCF and the Qingdao local government, it held many high level and influential activities such as China (Qingdao) International Cruise Summit and aroused huge attention from the industry. We will continuously support WTCF and the Cruise Committee via more involvement and contribution in the future.

Last but not least, joint effort should be made to build and upgrade port facilities for cruises of different sizes to call upon and homeport in, and establish convenient transportation system for cruise travelers. Carnival is willing to work with local government, travel agencies and large enterprises to development cruise market, and participate in cruise port infrastructure development in China and elsewhere in the world.

The Committee of Cruise Industry of WTCF was practical and useful

We have participated in WTCF activities and were impressed by staff’s professionalism, the scale of the Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit and the communication platform WTCF brought to members. As an international tourism platform, WTCF provides the tourism cities, companies and organizations opportunities to communicate and cooperate. For cruise tourism in particular, the Committee of Cruise Industry of WTCF was particularly practical and useful to cruise companies and the whole industrial chain.