“Developing cruise tourism in China”
Casino cruise operator Genting Hong Kong has signed an agreement with China Merchants Shekou Holdings to develop an international cruise ship port in Shenzhen, in Guangdong Province, China, reports the Nikkei Asian Review.
“The cooperation comes as rapid growth in the world’s second-largest economy through the past decade has spawned a generation of middle-class, wealthy Chinese consumers who are eager to travel overseas and are open to try new lifestyle products,” said a statement from the firm. It noted that 1.2 million Chinese tourists enjoy cruise travel—a figure could rise to 4.5 million by 2021.
Star Cruises will be the first international cruise line to call Shenzhen its home port, said Genting HK Chairman Lim Kok Thay. “Having observed the great potential of Shenzhen from as early as 2002, we operated cruises to Vietnam from the old Shekou Port,” he said. “We are pleased to see the development of Tai Zi Bay and even happier to ink a strategic alliance with China Merchant Group to join hands in developing cruise tourism in China.”
China Merchants Chairman Li JIanhong added, “Asia’s cruise industry is booming and China is expected to become the fastest-growing country in the world as international cruise lines ramp up their operations in response to surging demand from China’s emerging middle class.”
