The arrival of a cruise liner out of Singapore to Port Klang (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) after 2 years was welcomed by cruise industry players in Selangor.
RCI-Royal Caribbean's ship Spectrum of the Seas carried ~3,000 passengers and ~1,500 crew. Port Klang Cruise Terminal Sdn Bhd and Tourism Selangor hosted an event at the terminal to welcome the guests. It featured the provision of a tourist information center, cultural performances by the Selangor State Culture & Arts Department, a display of Orang Asli Mah Meri handicrafts, and “canting batik” activities.
In a statement, Tourism Selangor chief executive officer Azrul Shah Mohamad said that before the COVID crisis, Selangor had received 500,000+ tourists in 2019 and 300,000+ tourists in 2020 via ships at Port Klang Cruise Terminal.
Mohamad added that indicated the significant market potential of the sector.
“After the reopening of international borders on April 1, the tourism industry, particularly cruise tourism, has indeed been given a new lease of life. The arrival of international cruise ships to Selangor is good for the state’s economy and helps its tourism industry grow.”
During the 8-hour stop, passengers were brought to tourist attractions in Kuala Lumpur, Klang, Shah Alam, and Kuala Langat in Selangor.
From this month, cruise ships will start calling at the Port Klang Cruise Terminal every Friday.
Tourism Selangor will be hosting the Selangor Cruise Festival 2022 on October 29 & 30 at the Port Klang Cruise Terminal. It will feature the launch of Selangor’s tourist information centre, Borneo Street, cultural performances, food festivals, handicraft demonstrations, and cycling.
SuperStar Aquarius, which carried ~1500 passengers, was the last liner to arrive in Selangor back in March 2020 before the movement control order was imposed.