This week’s column is “live from Singapore” where I have been attending the Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific Conference. As the event has been held within the new Marina Bay Cruise Terminal it makes sense to comment on this amazing development that has been constructed by the Singapore Government at a cost...
This week’s column is “live from
Singapore” where I have been attending
the Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific
Conference.
As the event has been held within the
new Marina Bay Cruise Terminal it makes
sense to comment on this amazing
development that has been constructed by
the Singapore Government at a cost in
excess of S$350 million.
In case you haven’t looked lately the
Singapore dollar is close to parity with the
Australian dollar so this is a hefty long
term investment that will likely take many
years to show a return.
So what’s a lousy $350 million when you
can now showcase one of the most
spectacular cruise terminals ever to be
built!
Let there be no mistake, this is one very
impressive structure that is sure to rate
very highly with future cruise passengers
embarking and disembarking in this great
city.
So what about the conference?
With Asia on our immediate doorstep as
a cruise destination, both regions will play
a joint role in the future growth of our
industry.
Already we are seeing many itineraries
that combine Australia and Asia as part of
world cruises, repositioning cruises and
even round trip voyages so it is important
that both regions collaborate in many
areas.
Travel Agent education and
understanding of cruise is a long way
behind Australia and New Zealand but
based on the sheer size of the population
there is every chance that growth out of
this region as a source market, will be a lot
faster than what we have seen over the
last five years.
Only time will tell if the Asian market is
prepared to embrace the style of cruise
product on offer today, or will cruise lines
need to make wholesale product changes
in order to meet the cultural differences
found throughout Asia?
