Upcoming Inaugural Roundtable Sets Agenda on Future of Asia’s Cruise Shipping Industry

The state of the cruise shipping industry at a time of significant economic growth in Asia is the agenda set by the organisers of the upcoming inaugural Asia Cruise Forum 2013.

“By developing a consolidated vocabulary between regional Asian governments and industry representatives, we would be able to share knowledge and tackle issues to help accelerate cruise tourism growth and define service benchmarks underpinning sustainable growth across all industry touch points,” said Mr. Henry Teh, Executive Director of Globalports Pte Ltd (Singapore), the main organiser of the forum.

Co-initiated by Asia Cruise Association and the French Riviera Port Authority, a full announcement about the forum will be made at ITB Asia 2012, the trade show for the Asian Travel Market, on October 17. Singapore, Malaysia or Hong Kong is expected to be one of the choice destinations to play host to the forum. A decision will be announced later.

The forum’s goal is to assemble all stakeholders to discuss and agree on core elements that include:

• Acceleration of cruise infrastructure and destination development.

• Establishment of Asia Cruise Industry Training and Accreditation Framework.

• Formation of Asia Cruise Council by 2015.

To achieve its objectives, the Asia Cruise Forum 2013 also plans to organise a series of plenary sessions, inter-functional exchanges, and one-on-one session meetings between key industry players and partners.

“The forum is aligned with our blueprint to encourage investment in port development. At the same time, it also acts as an industry bellwether so that effective mechanisms can be placed to recognise and integrate the needs of the cruise industry across government planning processes, and improve understanding with key players in the private sector through effective engagement and dialogue,” says Mr. Kevin Leong, General Manager of Asia Cruise Association.

He added that the diverse range of discussions to be held at the upcoming forum will also address the training needs of tourism service providers to help stimulate passenger source markets in order to promote cruising as a holiday travel lifestyle.

Commenting on the idea of the forum, Mr. Bryan Tay, Director, Globalports, said: “The Asia Cruise Forum is an invaluable platform to share knowledge and information on how to create and improve unique service offerings to accelerate cruise tourism growth in this region. It also provides an ideal opportunity to evaluate and tackle pertinent issues with other tourism bodies, sea port authorities and key players in the private sector.”

French Riviera, Asian Style

Exclusive agreement signed between Globalports and French Riviera Port Authority to develop an Asian version of the French Riviera destination network concept

Meanwhile, Globalports and the French Riviera Port Authority have signed an exclusive agreement to promote an Asian version of the French Riviera Cruise Club.

The exclusive agreement was signed by Mr. Laurent Monsaingeon, Managing Director of the French Riviera Port Authority, and Mr. Henry Teh of Globalports.

Mirroring the successful French Riviera cruise club model, the exclusive agreement will create a dynamic eco-system to help develop a diverse network of Asian cruise destinations, including Australia, which embodies best practices to build a collaborative, vibrant and sustainable regional tourism playground.

“The concept of the French Riviera in Asia aims to drive the cruise shipping industry to its fullest capacity and pave the way for travellers to enjoy access to the Asian region without hindrances and obstacles,” said Mr. Laurent Monsaingeon, Managing Director of the French Riviera Port Authority.

The agreement will also include two-way collaboration to share and impart solutions, necessary tools, and know-how in their respective areas of expertise such as developing consistent standards in the management of destination clusters.

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Source: Globalports, September 16, 2012