Smooth sailing ahead

Many industry organizations and experts have expressed their confidence in the long-term prospects of the cruise ship sector and believe China can take center stage in the expected boom.

Shipping research institution Clarksons projected in a report on the global cruise market that the sector will rebound from 31 million passenger trips in 2023 to in excess of 40 million by 2028. "In our passenger forecast, the development of China's cruise consumer market will be particularly important," the report noted.

With the resumption of international cruises — operated by both Chinese and multinational companies — the Chinese cruise sentiment index is expected to see a rapid pickup and may go beyond expectations, according to the 2023 China and Asia Cruise Economic Sentiment Index, jointly published by the Shanghai International Cruise Business Institute and the Shanghai University of Engineering Science.

Qiu, from the Shanghai International Cruise Business Institute, said the combination of players in China's cruise market will unleash demand and consumption, diversify premium products, greatly improve industry standards, and aid the formation of a comprehensive policy to help the industry become healthier and more international.

Chen from Adora Cruises said: "We believe that China remains one of the world's most promising sources of cruise passengers. Along with the further development of China's economy and the ever-growing number of Chinese cruise ship customers, there is strong market potential and demand," he said, adding the company believes China's tourism market will grow further.

In terms of policy support, both the central and local governments have recently introduced various measures to promote the high-quality development of the sector.