The 7th China International Cruise Summit (Qingdao) and Council Meeting of Committee of Cruise Industry of WTCF kicked off in Qingdao

From June 17 to 18, 2019, the 7th China International Cruise Summit (Qingdao) kicked off in Qingdao. The summit this year is co-sponsored by the Committee of Cruise Industry of World Tourism Cities Federation (Committee of Cruise Industry of WTCF) and Asia Cruise Terminal Association (ACTA), and supported by Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, China Qingdao Port (Group) Co., Ltd and other institutions. Themed on ‘Promote the high-quality development of Chinese cruise tourism industry’, the summit aimed to build a platform for the communication and interaction among the field of Asian cruise industry. The summit included tourism exhibition fair, round table meeting, council meeting, opening ceremony and other sections, which has attracted 600 guests from over 20 countries such as the United States, Germany, Italy, Norway, Russia, Singapore, and the Philippines.

Li Baochun, Vice Secretary- General of WTCF delivered a speech during the opening ceremony.

Li Baochun, Vice Secretary- General of WTCF attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. Li Baochun highly praised the positive contribution Committee of Cruise Industry of WTCF has made to the development of Chinese cruise tourism industry. He highlighted the prospect and influence of cruise tourism market under the background of culture and tourism combination. Li Suman, Director of Qingdao Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, Secretary- General Unit of Committee of Cruise Industry of WTCF said in his speech that Qingdao had rich tourism resources and special geographical position and China International Cruise Summit had become an important platform for the communication among the field of Asian cruise industry.

During the keynote speech section, Chen Ranfeng, president of Carnival Corporation, China and Liu Zinan, president of Royal Caribbean Cruises, Asia, by introducing the successful experience of ‘cultural tourism’ and ‘international tourism’, shared the operational characteristics of the two companies targeting on Chinese market with other guests.

Li Baochun (middle), Vice Secretary- General of WTCF delivered a speech at the council meeting of Committee of Cruise Industry of WTCF.

The council meeting of Committee of Cruise Industry of WTCF was held at the same time of the summit. During the council meeting, Secretary-General of Committee of Cruise Industry of WTCF summarised the work of the committee last year, and reported the working plans next year. The application of eight new members for WTCF has also been approved during the meeting.

Committee of Cruise Industry is a branch institution of WTCF. The Secretariat of the Committee is located in Qingdao, China. Founded in 2015, the committee now has 105 members. By providing the platform for integrated development of the relevant industries through cruise tourism, the Committee aims to strengthen the exchanges and cooperation between cruise tourism cities, cruise terminals, cruise companies and cruise-related enterprises, promote win-win development of cruise-related industries and boost the international exposure and comprehensive competitiveness of cruise terminal cities.