(Continued from "Guangdong actively embraces the "maritime gold industry" as new visa-free policy for cruise ships comes into force")
With the boom in international cruise ships, coupled with the policy of visa-free entry for cruise ships, the future increase in international routes, as well as the expected growth of foreign inbound tourists, allows visiting ports to usher in great potential for growth in cruise tourism consumption. Guangdong's two major cruise homeports are working hard to seize the opportunity.
Shenzhen cruise homeport's international cruise business resumed on June 6, 2023. So far, a total of more than 30 times the entry and exit of cruise ships have occurred at Shekou port, with nearly 40,000 people entering and exiting the cruise ships. The port has twice ushered in the "Pacific World" cruise ship with a total of more than 2,000 foreign passengers.
Shenzhen Cruise Home Port (Photo provided to GDToday)
This year, the global cruise ship Peace Boat Pacific World will berth in Shenzhen cruise homeport in March, April and August, respectively, bringing tourists from about 20 countries. During its call in August, foreign inbound tourists will be able to enjoy the benefits of a visa-free visit with the group.
In order to better serve inbound tourists, China Merchants Viking Cruise's "China Merchants Eden" is scheduled to operate the "Shenzhen-Shanghai" coastal boutique route for inbound high-end international travelers from September to November, with a total of eight sailings. This also marks the "China Merchants Eaton" becoming the first cruise ship of Chinese nationality to receive inbound passengers.
China Merchants Eden (Photo: Nanfang Daily)
Shenzhen cruise homeport said that the convenient visa-free policy for cruise entry had undoubtedly injected new vitality into the development of the Shenzhen cruise homeport and would also stimulate the enthusiasm of foreign tourists for inbound tourism, driving the development of transportation, consumer goods, tourism, retail and other directly related industries. It will increase opportunities for foreign tourists to travel and sightsee in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, promoting the development of the tourism market in the shared region of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.
For Nansha Cruise Terminal, the introduction of the new policy is an opportunity to stimulate the accelerated progress of the resumption of navigation.
On the afternoon of May 7, Guangzhou Mayor Sun Zhiyang went to Nansha District to carry out thematic research on accelerating the promotion of high-quality development of the cruise economy in Guangzhou. On May 21, Guangzhou Nansha released a news release stating that the work of dredging the cruise ship channel is in full swing.
Nansha District has also recently organized a research group to experience the customs clearance process at the port in the order of exit and entry from the perspective of cruise passengers. They listened to the introduction of Nansha Border Inspection Station on the border inspection process of cruise ships, the management measures of the restricted area of the cruise port, and the support of the station to tie in with the opening of the Nansha Cruise Home Port and actively serve the development of Nansha's cruise ship industry.
The business model of the commercial complex of Nansha International Cruise Home Port is also being optimized and upgraded.
A few days ago, the Chongqing Pengshui cultural tourism (Asia-Pacific) marketing display center in Nansha International Cruise Terminal was inaugurated. The display center covers an area of about 700 square meters and is divided into the cultural hotel showroom, folk museum showroom, product museum trading hall and multi-function hall.
Chongqing Pengshui cultural tourism (Asia-Pacific) marketing display center in Nansha International Cruise Terminal (Photo: Guangzhou Nansha Fabu)
The reason why Pengshui Autonomous County chose to build a display center in Nansha International Cruise Home Port is precisely because it is the new gateway on the water for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the largest cruise ship home port complex in Asia, and a new landmark of trendy consumption with the influence of the Greater Bay Area.
The news shows that Nansha Cruise Home Port is expected to usher in the first cruise ship to resume flights in the first half of this year, and the policy of visa-free entry for cruise ships is undoubtedly the catalyst for the resumption of flights.
(Continued with "Province should promote the comprehensive development of city tourism and cruise ship homeports")
Author | Gong Mingyang, Dai Xiaoxiao, Zhang Yating
Editor | He Shan, Monica, James
