Asia-Pacific cruise industry eyes further growth as demand and investment rise

Asia-Pacific’s cruise industry, which recorded year-on-year growth of 19.6 per cent and surpassed three million passengers, is the fastest-growing in the world, according to Cruise Lines International Association.

Speakers at ITB Asia’s Cruise Leaders’ Panel: The Future of Cruise Holidays in the New Travel Landscape cited these figures and expressed confidence that demand would continue to grow, driven by first-time passengers in markets such as India, Indonesia and the Philippines, alongside infrastructure investments attracting interest from international cruise lines.

Isha Goyal, director and CEO of STIC Travel Group, noted that cruise travel in India, which currently accounts for one per cent of all travel, is evolving, with increasing demand for expedition, luxury and solo trips.

International river and ocean cruise brands are expected to enter the market in the next 18 to 24 months, she observed, while AI is helping travel agents who do not specialise in cruises sell higher-value itineraries.

“The next three years will be very exciting,” Goyal commented, citing six new ports for large ships in locations such as Chennai and Kerala.

Wen Ciu Lee, head of Asia-Pacific at Intercruises Shoreside and Port Services, noted that pre- and post-cruise luxury packages would become more personalised, with activities tailored to specific ports of call in destinations such as Indonesia, Japan and Thailand.

Meanwhile, Sarah Fox, vice president and regional general manager, South-east Asia, Disney Cruise Line (DCL), said passengers joining its cruises want “the precious time spent on vacation to be memorable and frictionless”.

Singapore and the Singapore Tourism Board, she added, have recognised the need to invest in aviation and port facilities to support the overall travel experience, rather than focusing solely on the cruise itself.

Fox also shared that DCL’s Disney Adventure would include Langkawi, Malaysia, as a port of call on her sailings.

On challenges facing the industry, Wen called for a South-east Asia or Asia-wide equivalent of the Schengen visa, while Goyal noted that visa requirements and insurance were key factors influencing cruise booking decisions in India.