Chinese government officials speaking at the China Cruise Shipping Conference & International Cruise Expo (CCS14), hosted by the China Cruise and Yacht Industry Association in Guangzhou, stressed that the continued development of the cruise industry was a state mandate.
With tourism identified as a key government priority, cruise-friendly policies, port development, shipbuilding and ship repair initiatives are set to follow.
“The development of the cruise industry is crucial to drive economic momentum,” said Yadong Hu, chairman of the China Communication and Transportation Association.
He pointed to Guangzhou as a key example, with a new homeport set to open and year-round service from Genting Cruise Lines, he noted that China has quickly become the second largest source market for the industry.
To help propel that, cruise-friendly government policies will need to continue, and Hu highlighted the potential of simplifying the Visa process to encourage more tourism.
“The cruise economy is linked directly to economic growth,” added Minshan Pei, deputy president of China Communications Construction Co., which is behind the new Guangzhou cruise homeport facility.
Daoping Lin, vice mayor of Guangzhou, said coming together at China Cruise Shipping would enable industry players to establish a platform of mutual learning and idea sharing to harness the potential of the cruise industry.
Huadong Li, deputy counsel of department of port control, general administration of customs, said that more tax rebates were needed for the industry, and research was underway. Other potential initiatives include expediting customs clearance and using Hainan Province as a trial area of sorts. Hainan currently has two cruise ports in Sanya and Haikou.
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