Singapore’s ongoing efforts to develop the rapidly growing cruising industry in the city-state, as well as in Southeast Asia, receives a boost with the inking of a new three-year partnership between the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
In announcing the teaming up in a statement, STB said this partnership was ‘the first of a kind” to propel cruise growth in Southeast Asia. It also marks CLIA’s first collaboration with an NTO in the Asia Pacific region.
STB noted the partnership is timely as cruising in Southeast Asia, home to some of the world’s fastest growing economies, is growing rapidly. According to CLIA’s Asia Cruise Trends 2017 study, the region contributed close to 15% of Asia’s passengers.
The deal will see STB and CLIA tapping their complementary strengths to undertake travel agent training, augment destination marketing efforts, spur regional port development and exchange technical and regulatory best practices.
Singapore is a popular cruise destination (Image credit: grafalex/iStock-Getty Images)
In the first year of the partnership, the two parties plan to conduct travel agent training in priority cruise markets such as Indonesia, Malaysia and India. As the majority of cruise bookings are made through travel agents the training aim to enhance their cruise sales skills overall and knowledge of Southeast Asian cruises.
The partnership will also leverage CLIA’s professional training capabilities and STB’s travel trade networks in the region.
“As Southeast Asia’s cruise industry is still in a nascent stage of growth, this partnership draws on CLIA’s expertise, networks and platforms, as well as STB’s strong understanding of regional travel trade and market nuances, to shape and spur growth in this region. We look forward to working closely with CLIA to develop Southeast Asia as a vibrant cruising destination,” said Mr Lionel Yeo, STB’s chief executive.
Cindy D’Aoust, president and CEO, CLIA added that the cruise association was committed to supporting the developing cruise industry in Singapore and Southeast Asia.
“Our expertise in travel agent training, knowledge of best industry practices and extensive global networks will complement the Singapore Tourism Board’s regional expertise.”
• Featured image credit (Singapore Cruise Center & Sentosa Boardwalk): RomanBabakin/iStock-Getty Images)