Hosted in collaboration with Seatrade Maritime Crew Connect Global

Hosted in collaboration with Seatrade Maritime Crew Connect Global

Join us to explore the future of talent acquisition and training in the cruise industry, where nearly 300,000 seafarers from around the globe are employed currently. With the industry poised for significant capacity expansion in coming years, the demand for both crew and shoreside staff is set to rise from this number rapidly. This session will highlight successful recruitment initiatives targeting Asian regions, which contribute a substantial portion of the cruise workforce. We’ll discuss how to attract and engage the next generation of talent, taking into account their evolving workplace expectations. Additionally, the session will focus on effective training programs that prepare new hires for the unique challenges of life on a cruise ship. Attendees will gain valuable insights into building strong local partnerships, aligning with regional workforce expectations, and making cruise careers more appealing for future talent.

Hosted in collaboration with Seatrade Maritime Crew Connect Global

Anchored by the theme 'Advancing Asia's Cruise Future,' this session delves into the revitalised cruise industry in Asia, which has resumed operations and is steadily returning, with some regions already boasting numbers that exceed pre-pandemic capacity. Industry leaders will discuss strategic approaches and emerging opportunities poised to drive the expansion of Asia’s cruise market over the next decade. We’ll explore the outlook for both international cruise operators and regional players, examining current deployments, future plans, and shifts in successful source markets for 2023-24. The session will emphasise the critical role of regional cooperation and local partnerships in fostering a renaissance in Asian cruising, while also addressing the challenges of current operations and the best practices for enhancing the passenger experience. Additionally, insights into the types of suppliers needed to ensure seamless operations will be highlighted. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the current landscape and essential strategies for supporting the continued growth of the Asian cruise industry.

Presentation of data & trends.

As Asia reopened for cruise operations in 2023, Southeast Asia demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth. The region accounted for a significant portion of cruise calls in Asia in 2023-24, with countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam all recording passenger levels surpassing pre-pandemic figures. This session will delve into the successes driving this resurgence, focusing on key destinations in Southeast Asia.

We’ll analyse the role of major source markets and both international and regional cruise players contributing to this growth. Additionally, we’ll address the challenges faced and explore future opportunities for expanding cruise tourism in Southeast Asia. By bringing together key stakeholders, this session will highlight best practices and provide insights into the strategies needed to sustain and enhance growth in the coming years. Join us to gain a comprehensive understanding of the current dynamics and future outlook for cruise tourism in Southeast Asia.

Expedition cruising is a growing concept in the Asian market, offering guests the chance to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations. This session will provide crucial insights into the future potential of expedition cruising in the Asia-Pacific, focusing on the rising demand from regional source markets for these unique experiences. Participants will learn about the distinct requirements of expedition cruise lines compared to larger vessels, both in terms of infrastructure and shoreside support, and will gain actionable strategies for attracting and accommodating this niche market. We’ll address the barriers to entry and operational challenges faced by small ships in Asian waters, emphasising the potential for destinations with limited infrastructure to tap into this segment as an entry point into the broader cruise ecosystem. The session will also explore whether current infrastructure in Asia is better suited for expedition, boutique, and river cruises, and outline what needs to be done shoreside to meet and exceed the expectations of small ship customers. Attendees will leave equipped with the knowledge to effectively develop and promote their destinations for this growing segment of the cruise industry.

Dive into the essential Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) considerations that are pivotal for smooth cruise operations and an exceptional passenger experience in Asia. This session will explore global best practices, focusing on cruise visas, standardised procedures, and the handling of crew requirements at ports. We'll discuss potential adjustments and improvements across Asian regions that could enhance efficiency and uniformity. Attendees will also learn how strengthened collaboration between private and public sectors can accelerate cruise development and increase the industry’s license to operate in the region. Regional representatives will share insights on the progress made in fostering cooperation, with a look at future initiatives aimed at improving guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.

This session will delve into the critical aspects of financing cruise development and port infrastructure in Asia, focusing on overcoming infrastructure challenges and fostering sustainable growth. With unique infrastructure challenges posing significant hurdles to cruise operations in the region, understanding and addressing these challenges is crucial for effective planning and development. The session will highlight the importance of adopting digital solutions to modernise port operations, enhancing functionality, efficiency, and capacity. Attracting investment is vital for growth, and participants will gain valuable insights into securing funding from a diverse range of investors, including what they seek in future projects. Strategic development is essential, and this session will provide practical advice on crafting a cruise strategy that draws investment into infrastructure. Finally, we’ll discuss how destinations can grow their cruise business sustainably, aligning expansion with their unique infrastructure capabilities and promoting long-term success.

This session will explore the complexities of developing successful and sustainable destination experiences in Asia's emerging cruise hotspots, with a strong emphasis on destination stewardship. As the region prepares to welcome first-time cruisers to culturally significant destinations, educating visitors on sustainable and responsible tourism practices is crucial. Participants will learn how to design shore programs that align with sustainable growth, preserving the cultural and environmental integrity of these areas. The session will also provide insights into the varying needs of cruise lines across different source markets, helping destinations tailor their offerings to meet diverse expectations. Additionally, we’ll address the challenge of aligning marketing promises with actual visitor experiences, ensuring guest satisfaction. Collaboration with local stakeholders is key, and this session will highlight effective strategies for working with communities, DMCs, and other partners to prepare for cruise guests, fostering positive interactions and long-term benefits. As the region grows, responsible destination management—including sustainable sourcing and support for local economies—will be vital for the longevity and success of the cruise industry in Asia.

As cruise capacity rises across Asia, sustainability must remain a central focus for operators, ports, destinations, and suppliers. This session outlines the ESG framework and its critical considerations for stakeholders in the region, emphasising the cruise industry’s commitment to a sustainable future and the shared goal of achieving net-zero operations by 2050. We’ll discuss the impact of upcoming legislation and the practical application of ESG principles to cruise operations in Asia, highlighting the urgency of accelerating progress. Key topics include investing in sustainable infrastructure, enhancing operational efficiency to reduce carbon footprints, future fuels and the availability of Onshore Power Supply (OPS) in Asian ports, and the social impact of cruising.

This session offers an in-depth outlook on selling small-ship and high-premium cruises outbound from key Asian cruise hubs. As Asia’s affluent middle class expands and market penetration remains low, demand for luxury goods, services, and experiences is on the rise. We’ll explore the factors driving success in these markets and identify the cruise products that are resonating with consumers and new-to-cruise passengers, highlighting emerging trends in key Asian source markets. Gain insights into the growing demand for premium cruise experiences and discover the successes of selling high-premium cruises outbound from Asia.

India's burgeoning wealth and massive population offer a unique opportunity for cruise tourism. This session will delve into the potential for expanding cruise tourism in India, focusing on both the international source market and the significant growth potential of the largely untapped domestic market. With a record-breaking 470,000 cruise tourists in the 2023-24 financial year—80% of whom were domestic—India’s cruise sector is set for substantial growth, supported by the government’s ambitious target of attracting 4 million cruise tourists by 2041.

We’ll explore how regional deployment within India is driving demand and discuss the outlook for the coming years.

Key topics will include operational challenges such as infrastructure limitations and regulatory hurdles, and strategies to overcome these obstacles to support industry growth. Participants will gain insights into the growing interest of Indian consumers in cruising and learn how to balance attracting international travellers with nurturing the domestic market.

Join us to uncover the future of cruise tourism in India and gain practical insights on navigating the operational, marketing, and strategic challenges to tap into this promising market.

This session will focus on the revival of cruise operations in East Asia since 2023, highlighting both successes and ongoing challenges. We’ll celebrate the positive developments, such as the return of international deployments and the resumption of homeporting in East Asia. Some countries in the region have rebounded more swiftly, benefiting from strong domestic market engagement, which is significantly influenced by regional deployment strategies.

As such, the session will also address how the rapid development of East Asia's cruise industry, previously driven by international operators, is now seeing a shift with emerging domestic cruise lines becoming major players. With new regional cruise lines and ships on order, we’ll explore the outlook for both regional and international deployments in the coming years and the implications for cruise lines and customers.

Participants will gain insights into the steps needed to restore East Asia to its pre-pause capacity and deployment levels, including strategies to enhance growth and address the challenges ahead. Join us to understand the current landscape and future trajectory of cruise operations in East Asian countries.