ASEAN's 'cruise tourism' afloat

In a move to boost the ASEAN cruise industry, ASEAN’s Tourism Ministers met recently and agreed on working closer together to advance ‘cruise tourism’ for the region.

Singapore's Trade and Industry Ministry released details from the meeting stating that ASEAN, together with the industry, will look at a series of workshops to strengthen port infrastructure, development of regional itineraries and joint marketing, Channelnewsasia.com reported.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Trade and Industry, S Iswaran, said the move is a positive step in the development of a strong regional cruise tourism industry. 

"Singapore will work closely with the member states and the industry to organise these workshops in the coming months. Collectively, we can bring out the region's strong diversity and promote greater tourism flows within ASEAN,” S Iswaran said.

During the meeting tourism Ministers agreed that one of the key requirements in advancing ‘cruise tourism’ in ASEAN is to develop sufficient port infrastructure to accommodate more cruise ships. 

The Ministry added that the opening of Singapore's International Cruise Terminal (ICT) in 2012 will support ASEAN's goal to be an exciting cruise region.With its Double berth capacity the new terminal will allow Singapore to cater to the world's largest ships.

Supporting ASEAN’s move, International Royal Caribbean Cruises Executive Vice President Michael Bayley said ASEAN’s huge population base and growing wealth will drive demand for travel.

"Together with the more active developments in the cruise infrastructure here recently, ASEAN's cruise industry is now poised to grow beyond its infancy stage and in the long run, to make the region the next exotic cruise paradise of the East."

Source - etravelblackboardasia