Industry leaders meet in Busan to discuss the future geography of cruise tourism in Asia

The debate on the future geography of cruise tourism in Asia will take a top billing on Thursday 11 June 2015 from 1430-1600 hrs at Seatrade Cruise Asia in Busan, Korea. With a 34% increase in cruise ship calls to the region in two years to more than 5,800 bed days, tourism chiefs and cruise line executives will discuss the upcoming ports of the future and how destinations can continue to fuel demand to the region.

Leading the discussions for the session, will be a line-up of knowledgeable speakers including Mick Fogg Manager, Marine & Operations Planning Asia Pacific for Ponant, who spoke of his enthusiasm for the event: "Whilst Asia has traditionally been seen as a destination for large cruise ships, we are seeing an increasing demand from our guests to operate luxury small ship expeditions through the region. By understanding that the needs and desires of luxury small ship expeditions are very different to those of larger cruise ships, operators will place themselves in a key position to take advantage of this increasing market sector. I look forward to discussing the opportunities this will provide with conference participants."

Joining Mick Fogg will be Anthony H. Kaufman SVP, Asia Operations, Princess Cruises, Mark Robinson Managing Director, Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services and John F. Tercek VP, Commercial & New Business Development, Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited.

Whether new infrastructure investment in Asia is keeping pace with demand, how cruise-friendly the operating environment in Asia is, the affect of decreasing fuel prices and how this will affect development decisions in the region will be the subjects of discussion in the conference.

The full conference programme for Seatrade Cruise Asia includes sessions on Korea and the Wider Asian Market, Growing the Asian Source Market and three additional workshops focussing on the Cruise Line-Port Relationship, the Outlook for Cruise Shipbuilding & Refurbishment in Asia and also on the cruise industry in Korea.

Hosted by Busan Port Authority, Busan Metropolitan City, Korea Tourism Organization and Korea Marine Leisure Network, Seatrade Cruise Asia is an annual cruise industry event, focused purely on Asia. The event will take place at the Busan Exhibition and Convention centre in Busan, Korea from 11-12 June 2015.

sourced:traveldailynews.asia