A MedCruise delegation led by president Stavros Hatzakos attended the for the Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific 2013 event in Singapore. MedCruise members representing cruise ports from five different countries – France Greece Italy Slovenia and Spain – had the opportunity to talk to professionals in the sector travel agents and cruise lines on prospects and strategies to increase the potential of people from Asia.
During the coming few days MedCruise representing over 100 ports across the Mediterranean and adjoining seas is exhibiting at the Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific trade show for the first time. It also is sponsoring the travel agent training programme and as part of its marketing strategy to reach the Chinese travel agent community on Monday launched a Chinese language newsletter promoting the Mediterranean as a cruise destination.
Stavros Hatzakos comments on MedCruise presence at Cruise Asia-Pacific: ‘Our presence in Singapore is part of a strategic decision by MedCruise to explore what is happening in the Asian cruise market which has enormous potential for growth and to better understand the similarities and differences that exist in Asian culture and the expectations of Asian passengers.’
By participating in this event and producing Chinese language promotional material and video highlighting the diversity of the Mediterranean MedCruise hopes that when Asians take their second cruise or subsequent cruises in the future they choose the Mediterranean.
‘We have an advantage as many of the iconic attractions and historic cities in Europe are in the Med such as Athens Barcelona Cairo and Rome and what better way of seeing a number of them in a short time than by a cruise?’ Hatzakos said.
Visitng the state-of-the-art Marina Bay Cruise Centre
The MedCruise delegation led by president Stavros Hatzakos and secretary genera visited Marina Bay Cruise Centre for a private tour Monday 7 September. MedCruise executives toured the terminal facilities and spacious arrival and departure halls guided by Norma de la Fuente Head of Marketing and Business Development.
The purpose-built cruise terminal which opened in May 2012 is preparing for the 2013/14 cruise season which starts on this month. Geared for handling 6800 passengers at any time the 28000sq mtr terminal has 80 check-in desks and up to 40 immigration counters. ‘It is impressive to see such a large facility with 327 car parking spaces for the drive-to market up to 800 seats in the departure lounge and offering two berths capable of handling ships up to 220000gt’ Hatzakos remarked.
Last year MBCCS handled over 80 calls and around 220000 passengers. This season passenger numbers are set to more than double as larger ships are arriving in South East Asia (for example Royal Caribbean International is deploying Mariner of the Seas on more ex-Singapore sailings versus Legend of the Seas last year) and a lengthening of the season through to June noted Norma de la Fuente head of marketing and business development at SATS-Creuers Cruise Services Pte Ltd operator of the cruise terminal.
Of those embarking on cruises out of MBCCS de la Fuente estimated 30% are Singaporeans 40% are other Asian nationalities and 30% international.
Article informed by the Seatrade Insider report of the MedCruise visit: www.seatrade-insider.com
