Experts discuss cruise industry development

Opening ceremony of the 9th China Cruise Shipping Forum held on Thursday in Tianjin. The three-day forum, is themed around "cruise economy and regional development". [Photo by Liu Xiangrui/China Daily]

The 9th China Cruise Shipping Forum, co-hosted by the China National Tourism Administration, the Tianjin Municipal People's Government and the China Communications and Transportation Association, opened on Oct 15 at the Exhibition Center in Tianjin's Binhai New Area.

The three-day forum, on the theme of "cruise economy and regional development", will discuss topics such as regional development and cooperation in China, industrial policies, cruise ship building and onboard careers in its sessions.

More than 400 professionals and experts from over 10 nations and regions are participating in the forum.

The International Cruise Expo, which attracts more than 100 cruise industry exhibitors from both within and outside China, is being held at the exhibition center at the same time.

"In recent years, China has been dedicated to driving an ocean-based economy and pushing forward guidance for tourism and recreational activities for Chinese citizens," said Qian Yongchang, chairman of the China Communications and Transportation Association.

"Since the cruise economy is a little bit of both — a growing sector in terms of ocean-based economy and a new business format in terms of tourism and recreation — it is constantly under the spotlight."

According to statistics from the China Cruise and Yacht Industry Association, the number of Chinese tourists taking cruises on outbound trips jumped to 570,000 in 2013 from only several thousand in 2005. The number is expected to reach 700,000 this year and 1 million in 2015.

There are five international cruise passenger centers in China — two in Shanghai and the remainder in Tianjin, Xiamen and Sanya. More cities are building or plan to build cruise ports in the near future.

According to Qian, the Asian cruise market looks at China as its center and the region has become the fastest growing cruise market worldwide. Huge potential is hidden in the Chinese cruise economy, he said.

Caption for two pics: Opening ceremony of the 9th China Cruise Shipping Forum held on Thursday in Tianjin. The three-day forum, is themed around "cruise economy and regional development".