Cambodia may lift visa requirement for cruise tourists

Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism is currently looking at the practicability of lifting visa requirement for cruise tourists arriving at its Sihanoukville port. Alan Lam reports.

 

The pristine resort of Sihanoukville is the country’s only viable ocean cruise terminal and the destination’seconomy is becoming increasingly dependent on tourism, especially on visitors from Southeast Asia and China. Following the recent decision by Vietnam to grant visa-free entry to its Phu Quoc Island - the nearest cruise port to Sihanoukville -Cambodia intends to keep in step with the latest development in the region in an effort to attract cruise traffics to its shores.

 

Moreover, according to the ministry, the Sihanoukville facility will be upgraded, adding a restaurant and a shopping mall. The port is being included in increasingly number of cruise itineraries in the region. Lifting the visa requirement will accelerate its growth, as it will mean the fall of yet another artificial barrier for cruise business.

 

Cambodia is a member state of ASEAN. The association is synchronizing many of its policies among its members. It is reasonable to expect that barriers of this kind will continue to tumble as the countries recognise the benefits of cruise tourism to their economies.

CMP to lease planned Visby cruise pier on 20 year contract

The provincial government of the Swedish island of Gotland and Copenhagen Malmö Port (CMP) today formally signed an agreement whereby the Swedish-Danish port company is to lease a cruise pier to be built in Visby, the island's capital, CMP said in a statement.

"Region Gotland and Copenhagen Malmö Port (CMP) today signed a lease agreement which entails the region investing around SEK 250 million kronor in a new cruise ship quay, with CMP renting the quay for 20 years," the port company said.

- "Now it's full steam ahead for all engines! The construction project is proceeding with planning and various surveys on site, and together with the island's business community we will ensure that Gotland is ready when the quay is completed in 2018", says the regional board's chairman Åke Svensson.

CMP has long experience of developing cruise ship ports and the port in Copenhagen has received a number of awards, including as cruise ship port of the year.

- "We are looking forward to contributing our experience to the collaboration with Region Gotland. This is a significant undertaking for us as we can offer our customers a more attractive cruise route. The fact that we will thereby also be contributing to more tourists visiting Gotland is very satisfying", says Johan Röstin, CEO of Copenhagen Malmö Port AB.

As recently as one year ago the cruise ship quay was a project which almost everyone on Gotland wanted to go ahead, but which nobody believed would happen. A meeting during last year's Almedalen Week sowed the seed for the collaboration which suddenly resolved all the stumbling blocks. With a strong collaborative partner on-board the investment suddenly became significantly less risky and in August all the local authority parties backed the final draft agreement.

The marine archaeological surveys outside Kopparsvik commenced in November, and geotechnical surveys on the sea bed will take place in the spring. The actual construction will start with dredging in spring 2016 and two years later the first cruise liners will put into Gotland's new cruise centre.

- "Constructing a cruise ship port and establishing an attractive cruise destination is an extensive operation, with a large number of public and private actors having to work well together. This is one of the most important reasons behind Copenhagen's success, and something on which we place a lot of importance. The start of the project in Visby has been particularly promising", says Arnt Møller Pedersen, Cruise Manager in Copenhagen Malmö Port AB.

During the period 2000 to 2012, the number of cruise passengers in the Baltic increased from 1.1 million to 4.2. A cruise ship quay in Visby is estimated to increase the number of arrivals to around 150 cruise ships per year, with average passenger numbers of about 1,700 per ship, and revenues generated from tourism of around SEK 90-130 million per year.*

CMP is Northern Europe's leading cruise ship port with some 346 ships and 800,000 passengers a year from more than 150 countries arriving in Copenhagen and Malmö.

Another record year for Quintana Roo

Breaking the record set in the previous year, the Mexican State of Quintana Roo will end 2014 with a new peak in total cruise throughput of its two main ports. Alan Lam reports.

 

According to Ercé Barrón Barrera, Director General, Port Administration of Quintana Roo (La Administración Portuaria Integral de Quintana Roo), by the end of the year about 25% more cruise calls will be recorded for the current season, bringing in about 3.7 million passengers, as compared to that of 2013, making the state the number one cruise destination in the continent of America.

 

Last week alone, 40 ships called at Cozumel and Mahahual terminals, disgorging over 120,000 visitors.

 

A further 60 calls are expected for the remainder of the year; thus the 2014 total cruise call figure will reach 1,200. The estimated passenger spending ashore for the year is above $200 million.

 

With Pullmantur homeporting one of its ships at Cozumel in June, for 2015, Quintana Roo -Jewel of the Caribbean - expects an even higher number.

The state’s two main cruise ports, Mahahual and Cozumel, are popular with cruise tourists on account of their proximities to various famous archaeological sites.

Cruise Baltic celebrated 10th anniversary in Copenhagen

At this month’s Cruise Baltic meeting held in Denmark at the Scandic Copenhagen Hotel, over 40 delegates combined a 2-day business agenda with also celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the original formation of the Association in 2004, the organisation said in a statement.

Representatives from 24 destinations – from both ports and tourism – joined Cruise Baltic Director, Claus Bødker for a comprehensive programme of activity; and in welcoming two prestigious cruise line guests, Steven Young, Director or Port Services & Government Affairs, Carnival UK; and James Langley, Marine Superintendent, Saga Cruises.

Also, making a welcome return to a Cruise Baltic meeting, industry analyst, author and broadcaster Tony Peisley, whose presentation expanded on the theme of his latest research report: “The End of the Beginning for the Cruise Industry”.

The business-of-the-day agenda featured an industry update by Claus Bødker; face-to-face sessions - exchanging knowledge - between the ports and cruise line guests; and in open forum, topics discussed included examples of Best Practices at small, medium and large-sized ports – how to better facilitate communication among partner destinations.

The first day concluded with a tour of Christiansborg Palace and an evening ‘winter wonderland’ walk in wonderful Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens – especially magical and atmospheric at this time of the year, with thousands of Christmas lights - and a sumptuous dinner at Nimb.

Back at the Scandic Copenhagen Hotel, the delegates enjoyed some surprise entertainment provided by a talented magician and were also treated to a 10th Anniversary birthday cake and celebratory champagne.

On day 2, stimulating debate between the Cruise Baltic partners and panellists Steven Young and James Langley on ‘how to achieve successful co-operation between the port and the city’ followed on from Tony Peisley’s presentation, when he spoke of what he believed were the important issues facing the itinerary planner today.

“Ten or five years ago, it was probably true that passenger reaction was the main, although by no means the only, driver of itinerary selections. But not now. Whatever anyone says – it is definitely about the money now."

“Briefly for the major corporations, the days of the entrepreneurial spirit, which created and grew the cruise industry through its first 45 years, are over. We are now in an era where business analytics rule and gut instinct is increasingly side-lined, or at least, ignored. Ports and destinations have to accept the new reality and find ways to survive and prosper within it.”

Also on the agenda, delegates had the opportunity to visit Copenhagen Malmö Port, recent recipient of an award for its new Ocean cruise terminals. On behalf of the City of Copenhagen, its Culture and Leisure Committee, awards honours to attractive buildings and urban developments constructed since 1902. The citation stated: “these cruise terminals are outstandingly suited to their function. Their practical expression balances well with their purpose. To those sailing in, the buildings appear like sails, cliffs or waves, rising asymmetrically by the giant cruise liners.”

Amber Cove in Dominican Republic to welcome first Carnival cruise ship in October 2015

Amber Cove, an exciting new destination located in the heart of the Dominican Republic’s breathtaking North Coast, known as the Amber Coast, just outside the historical town of Puerto Plata – will welcome its first cruise ship when the Carnival Victory arrives on October 6, 2015, for a day-long call.

The visit by Carnival Victory is the first of 37 calls by eight different Carnival ships that will take place between October 2015 and April 2016, accounting for more than 100,000 guests during this period.

Amber Cove will be a featured port on select sailings of Carnival Breeze, Carnival Glory, Carnival Splendor and Carnival Victory from Miami, Carnival Conquest from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Valor from Port Canaveral, Fla., and Carnival Fantasy from Charleston, S.C.

 “Amber Cove is destined to become a cornerstone in creating new itineraries from several U.S. home ports,” said Terry Thornton, Carnival’s senior vice president of itinerary planning.  “It will provide an unmatched combination of ‘fun in the sun’ activities and eco-tourism opportunities along with unique sightseeing, dining and cultural experiences to create a lifetime of wonderful vacation memories for our guests,” he added.

Designed to serve as the gateway to one of the world’s most beautiful cruising regions, Amber Cove features dramatic architectural elements that echo the area’s storied Colonial past. The port is situated in a picturesque cove that serves as the backdrop for soaring mountains and lush tropical landscape. Its cobblestone plazas will be lined with a wide variety of retail offerings, including themed restaurants and bars and a marketplace with locally sourced crafts and souvenirs, recreational amenities, and a transportation center for access to land and sea adventures.

The facility will offer two berths that can accommodate up to two large post-Panamax cruise ships simultaneously.

Amber Cove will feature one of the most extensive shore excursion programs available in the Caribbean, offering a wide array of landside experiences including beautiful beaches, exciting water sports and special culinary, cultural and adventure options.  Nearby Ocean World, which is one of the region’s largest marine adventure parks, will offer guests many great ways to experience and interact with a variety of marine animals.

Dozens of shore excursions will be available, from cross-country adventures in 4x4 Terracross buggies that traverse the rugged countryside and horseback riding on the beach to snorkeling in crystal-clear waters and swimming in a pristine natural river pool.  Guests can also travel via speedboat to beautiful Paradise Island, one of the Caribbean’s top spots for snorkeling and scuba diving, or visit rural coffee plantations and sample traditional Dominican cuisine, rum and seasonal fruit. Or for the ultimate luxury experience, guests can reserve their own private beachside bungalow with the services of a personal chef, bartender and staff.

Amber Cove will also provide easy and convenient access to the nearby historic town of Puerto Plata, named by Christopher Columbus when he discovered the island in 1492. Puerto Plata is home to the first fort built by European settlers in the New World.  Visitors to the city can shop in the bustling downtown area featuring numerous artist studios and rum and cigar factories or stroll along the famed Malecon, a three-mile-long open air beach-side boardwalk dotted with bars, restaurants and shops.