|
|
 |
||||
|
|
|
||||
Four provinces and cities including North China’s harbor city of Tianjin have become pilots for cruise shipping, according to an announcement from the ninth China Cruise Shipping and International Expo on Oct 15.
In order to develop tourism in international waters, Tianjin has started to establish an international cruise purchasing and distribution base, cultivate high-end cruise professionals, and increase the number of routes year by year.
In 2013, around 70 cruises and 250,000 tourists arrived in Tianjin, an increase of 99.4 percent and 108 percent respectively year on year.
This year, Tianjin’s cruise industry is going to embrace new opportunities. These include becoming one of the pilots of China’s cruise tourism approved by the National Tourism Administration, being the demonstration base of cruise shipping established by the Ministry of Transport, and building a more convenient customs clearance system.
Tourism in international waters is of great importance to China’s cruise development. Routes with no specific destinations offered by qualified cruise companies, as well as recreational projects such as experiencing a cruise and watching the sunrise on the ocean, provided by eligible port and cruise enterprises are encouraged.
A staff member from a travel agency explained, "Short-term cruise tours from Japan and Korea are focused on sightseeing while cruise tourism in international waters has its emphasis more on relaxing, which is a deeper kind of cruise tourism. In addition, the target groups of these two tourism types are different."
For tourism in international waters, the cruise itself is a scenic spot and recreational place. Tourists can enjoy the relaxing and recreational facilities on board and experience activities such as watching the sunrise over the ocean.
Meanwhile, Tianjin will develop an international cruise supply system, which will be based on the establishment of the China International Cruise Purchasing Association in Tianjin, as well as a series of favorable policies, in which the city will attract more cruise companies to build a purchasing center.
Furthermore, Tianjin will improve training and education for cruise personnel, especially high-end professionals.
