According to a study by Hong Kong Tourism Board, seven metro areas in China include 83 m potential cruise clients. The study looked at the population between the ages 18-60 with sufficient income to afford a voyage.
730,000 passengers from China took a cruise vacation from one point in Asia to another in 2014. The Chinese cruise market is growing at a 22% annual rate, according to the executive director of Hong Kong Tourism Board, Anthony Lau.
In a second study, the Tourism Board identified 21 ports (with infrastructure needed for cruise tourism) to be included in a 6- or 7-day cruise from Hong Kong. 13 ports will accommodate ships of up to 100,000 GT by 2020. These studies are the first of their kind, involving 21 focus groups throughout China and 3,500 surveys. They were stated at the Cruise Shipping Miami conference, running in Miami Beach March 16-20.
The 10th edition of the CCYIA (China Cruise and Yacht Industry Association, government organization) conference and trade show is scheduled for this October in Shanghai. Opening speakers in Tianjin are president and CEO of Carnival Corp. Arnold Donald, and Chief Operating Officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises, Adam Goldstein.
Attendance includes top management representatives from major cruise brands thinking about or already operating in China, as well as Chinese cruise brands, suppliers, travel companies and companies looking to enter the industry. A number of key news items were announced, including the signing of a strategic MOU between China State Shipbuilding and Carnival Corporation.