MANILA: After years of seat sales and ticket discounts, cruise lines are betting that more and more travelers are ready to see the world by ship.
Asia is a growing market for cruise travel and the Philippines is steadily becoming part of the region’s cruise map.
According to a financial report by Genting Hong Kong Group released on March 29, it sees Asia as the world’s largest and fastest growing outbound market. “About a billion people in Asia will reach middle-class status by 2030 and they have the disposable income to travel and cruise,” the report says.
At a recent ceremony aboard the World Dream to fete travel partners and to announce new plans for Genting Cruise Lines, company president Kent Zhu shared that Asians are increasingly seeking unique and premium experiences.
So much so that the company is already working on the first of a series of “Global Class” ships in anticipation of market growth. The ships, which are planned to have larger state rooms, are expected sail beyond the continent.
The response, according Genting Cruise Lines Assistant VP for Philippine Sales and Marketing Andrea Manzano, was very encouraging. The bulk of passengers came from Metro Manila although passengers also came from major cities like Cebu and Davao through fly-cruise programs.
