A STUDY commissioned by the new CLIA Asia division has found the industry has already shown skyrocketing growth levels from Asia in the last two years alone.
The second State of the Asia Cruise Industry released this week showed record numbers of cruise ships heading to the region along with booming passenger numbers and capacity, port visits, departures and operating days.
The study was undertaken by CHART management consultants and built on a 2013 white paper put together by the former Asia Cruise Association (ACA).
Asia recorded a 34% jump in passenger numbers last year, with 1.4 million residents of the region setting sail on a cruise holiday.
CLIA Southeast Asia chair Ann Sherry said the study was commissioned to give stakeholders an overall view of growth in Asia as well as potential future growth.
She added that it was now clear the industry has taken notice that Asia is “quickly becoming a major international market in its own right”.
“The cruise industry is responding by offering more cruises that deliver experiences especially tailored to Asian travellers but are at the same time just as attractive to international travellers wanting to experience Asia’s wide array of fascinating destinations,” she said.
Cruise lines were responding both through onboard menus, drydock enhancements such as Japanese bathhouses and shorter itineraries to suit market trends.
CLIA Australasia general manager Brett Jardine said the growth would also have flow-on effects for the local region.
“With more ships based in the region, Australia and New Zealand will likely see a greater number of ships as well as larger capacity ships, which would require infrastructure investment to take advantage of the growth opportunities,” Jardine added.
