|
Prime
Destinations
(the Leisure
wing of
HEMAS
Travels) as
the sales
and
marketing
representative
in Sri Lanka
and the
Maldives for
Royal
Carribbean
International
(RCI)to is
ready to
provide Sri
Lankan
travellers a
unique
holiday on
board, said
Marketing
Executive of
Prime
Destination
Warren
Ahamet.
Prime
Destinations
represents
three cruise
liners under
RCI, namely
Royal
Carribean,
Celebrity
and Azamara
since 1998.
Singapore is
all set with
new
infrastructure
projects to
enhance its
position of
being the
Cruise Hub
of Asia. The
Sri Lankan
market
already
enjoys great
connectivity
and short
flying time
to
Singapore,
he said.
According to
a report by
The Ocean
Shipping
Consultants;
Asia can
expect a 44
percent
growth in
cruise
passengers
by 2010. By
2015, the
number of
Asian cruise
passengers
is expected
to hit 2.02
million, an
88.79
percent
increase
over 10
years,
making the
cruise
sector one
of the
fastest
growing
segments in
the tourism
industry.
Area
Director of
Singapore
Tourism
Board for
Sri Lanka,
Southern
India and
the Maldives
Kiran
Bhandari
told Daily
News
Business
that
Singapore is
set to grab
21 percent
of the
market with
an expected
1.6 million
cruise
passengers
by 2015.
To support
this goal,
Singapore
international
cruise
infrastructure
will be
doubled in
capacity
with the
opening of
the new
International
Cruise
Terminal at
Marina South
which will
be
operational
in 2010,
Bhandari
said.
He said that
the new
International
Cruise
Terminal
will greatly
enhance
visitor
experience
in Singapore
as it has
been
designed not
only to be
architecturally
attractive
but also to
ensure a
smooth and
seamless
experience
for
passengers.
The terminal
will feature
a spacious
arrival and
departure
hall as well
as a large
ground
transportation
area to
facilitate
passenger
movement.
The most
unique
feature
about the
new terminal
is the waves
and nautical
elements
that take
centre stage
in its
design.
Taking an
angular
rather than
curvilinear
form, the
rooftop
waves will
appear as an
imaginative
mosaic of
shapes and
patterns
which
passengers
will
experience
as
constantly
changing
views as the
ship
approaches
land, adding
to the sense
of
anticipation
as visitors
take in the
Singapore
skyline. The
new terminal
building
will also
feature
designated
areas for
taxis,
coaches and
private cars
to allow
efficient
vehicular
access and
movement.
A waterfront
promenade
and park
will provide
disembarking
passengers a
pleasant
arrival
experience
and
distinctive
night
lighting
will enhance
the city
skyline at
night,
making it a
world-class
hub for
cruise
passengers.
The
Singapore
Cruise
Centre
reported a
cruise
passenger
count of
over
943,000, in
2007, an
increase of
more than 10
percent over
the previous
year. A
similar
increase in
numbers is
expected for
2008-09.
Recognizing
this growth
potential,
and the
Singapore
Government's
efforts in
building
excellent
infrastructure,
cruise
operators
are offering
a wide range
of
itineraries.
Leveraging
on the
Singapore
position
between
major
international
maritime
routes, and
its
excellent
air
connectivity
to more than
190
destinations
in 60
countries a
number of
cruise
companies
has chosen
to create a
base in
Singapore to
strengthen
their Asian
presence.
Exotic and
romantic
packages are
offered by
cruise
liners
ranging from
two nights
to 27 nights
sailing
across Asia
to the
Middle East
and Europe.
(DM18062009) |
