Cruise industry embarks on big expansion

By Shi Jing in Shanghai (China Daily) Updated: 2014-02-26 08:46

A Star Cruises ship is seen at a port in Xiamen, Fujian province, in November 2013. The number of customers taking cruises accounted for 10 percent of Ctrip.com, China's largest online travel agency's total clients last year, according to a recent market survey by the company. Provided to China Daily

China is considering national guidelines to facilitate and secure the sound development of China's cruise industry to address demand from a growing number of wealthy people.

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Initiated by China National Tourism Administration, China Cruise and Yacht Industry Association will start compiling a general plan for the development of the Chinese cruise industry by the end of this month. It is expected to be released in October this year. The plan will elaborate on the orientation, goal and development path of the Chinese cruise industry as well as mapping out cruise routes.

Zheng Weihang, vice-chairman of the association, said in a previous media interview that the plan will also touch upon the construction of cruise terminals and the building up of China's own cruise fleet.

Pilot cities for cruise tourism development and a training system for people showing a talent for the industry will also be discussed under the plan.

Meanwhile, a guideline to promote the cruise transportation industry compiled by the Ministry of Transport is also anticipated.

A full industry chain, including the construction of ports and the supply of ships, is expected to be completed soon in China, said Zhen Hong, secretary-general of the Shanghai International Shipping Institute. Given the rapid growth of the cruise industry at present, such a plan is considered indispensable for the regulation of the operation of cruise companies in the future.

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