Ports & destinations

BVIPA anticipates substantial completion of cruise pier landside by October 31

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 14 July 2015 14 July 2015

The British Virgin Island Ports Authority (BVIPA) continues to advance the Cruise Pier Development Project with the full cooperation and support of its partner cruise lines and the wider Florida Caribbean Cruise Line Association.

With growing interest over the landside development, Tortola Pier Park (TPP), the BVIPA anticipates that 10 of the 11 leasable buildings will reach substantial completion by October 31. The total number of businesses currently committed and approved for lease within TPP is 54, with only four (4) of these businesses being internationally owned and the remaining 50 businesses being owned by Belongers and BVIslanders.

The tenant mix of businesses to be established in TPP includes locally made souvenirs, clothing, jewelry, footwear, leather goods, food and beverage, eyewear, medical services, post office, perfumes and cosmetics, amongst others.

The progress being made on the landside development is in line with targets set for the start of the next cruise season on October 1, at which time Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) would be required to pay the increased head charge of $15.00. In the meanwhile, NCL, on the remaining weekly cruise calls, will continue to be charged at a rate of $7.00 per person.

To this end, Managing Director of the BVIPA Mr. Claude Skelton Cline said, “The BVI Ports Authority looks forward to substantial and actual completion of this project when the substantial benefits under Berthing Agreements would mature and be derived.”

The BVI Cruise Pier Expansion Project is designed to create a unique and modern cruise pier facility that delivers a memorable, world-class and environmentally compatible sustainable development.

SIA, CAG and STB strengthen commitment to tourism with largest partnership to date

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 02 July 2015 02 July 2015

Singapore Airlines (SIA), Changi Airport Group (CAG) and Singapore Tourism Board (STB) have stepped up efforts to jointly promote inbound travel to Singapore and Changi Airport, in the largest collaboration among the three partners to date. Under the new two-year partnership, the three parties will jointly invest $20 million to collaborate in amplifying the Singapore experience to leisure, business and MICE audiences in more than 15 markets worldwide.

This will be carried out through the refinement and delivery of the Singapore experience to visitors coming to and through Singapore and Changi Airport, and the intensification of marketing efforts direct to consumers and through trade partnerships. In addition to ongoing work in attracting leisure visitors, the partnership will also boost marketing investment for the business traveller and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) segments.

“This partnership demonstrates our commitment to further developing our home base as a travel hub and promoting Singapore as a destination of choice. We are pleased to continue working closely with STB and CAG and draw on our respective strengths, to promote sustainable growth of inbound travel to and through Singapore,” said Singapore Airlines CEO, Mr Goh Choon Phong.

Enhanced Singapore experience

“One of the key initiatives in this collaboration is developing and enhancing joint programmes that will contribute towards strengthening the global mindshare and perceptions of both Singapore and Changi Airport. We look forward to working together to leverage our collective strengths and insights, and to amplify our efforts to promote the Singapore experience,” said Mr Lee Seow Hiang, Chief Executive Officer, Changi Airport Group.

A key highlight is the introduction of the Singapore Stopover Premium package, an upgraded version of the Singapore Stopover Holiday. This new product is the latest in the three partners’ ongoing efforts to curate distinctive experiences that allow travellers with different needs to better enjoy Singapore as a destination. Targeted at both premium leisure and business travellers, the Singapore Stopover Premium package includes stays in selected five-star hotels with breakfast and Wi-Fi, priority hotel check-in services and private transfers, exclusive privileges such as spa discounts or shopping vouchers, and access to a variety of premium leisure experiences across the island.

Another feature of this partnership is the enhanced Free Singapore Tour, a perennially popular programme that brings transit passengers on a free guided tour of Singapore’s vibrant landscape, best heritage attractions and city skyline. The recently refreshed programme boasts longer itineraries[6] that now cover even more iconic sights, photo stops, additional tour timings across day and night, as well as the introduction of seasonal editions during festive periods, all aimed at providing a more in-depth experience of Singapore beyond Changi Airport.

“Our airline and airport are an integral part of the Singapore experience. The new product offerings demonstrate SIA, CAG, and STB’s commitment to provide today’s discerning travellers with a more seamless and in-depth experience. To constantly refresh and add value to the visitor experience, it is essential for the industry to rally together; STB looks forward to more partnerships with the industry,” said Mr Lionel Yeo, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board.

Queen Victoria makes maiden call in Heraklion

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 21 June 2015 21 June 2015

Cunard Line's Queen Victoria made a maiden call in Port of Heraklion on June 17 with 2,020 guests onboard. Guests enjoyed the 25-member Heraklion Municipality’s Philharmonic Orchestra in interpretation of favorite music from famous films and musicals, while a welcome ceremony by Mr. Ioannis Bras, Mr. Vasilios Lamprinos, the Mayor of Heraklion and Deputy Mayor Mrs. Maria Kanavaki, was held with the Captain, the Hotel Manager and officers of the ship at the pier where the event took place and also commemorative plaques and gifts were exchanged.

Ioannis Bras emphasized in his statements that the management’s strategy implemented in the last four years, with all the modern practices and interventions, the innovative initiatives, actions and plans relating with the cruise, had as a result for the Heraklion port to attract additional cruise ship calls and new large cruise companies. In close cooperation with all stakeholders of our city, the Municipality of Heraklion, the Region of Crete, the Chamber of Commerce, etc., we will continue the promising strategic planning in order to achieve stable and long-term development of the cruise in our destination that will only result in positive benefits for our destination.

The secret of Balearic Islands cruise success

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 25 June 2015 25 June 2015

Alan Lam reports

Amidst the recent cruise boom, the Balearic Islands Port Authority (Autoridad Portuaria de Baleares or APB) is expecting a best-ever year for 2015. Cruise Business Review investigates the secrets of its success.

With a view of maintaining the position of being a preferred homeport for major cruise lines, the port authority, aiming at improving cruise provisions and maintaining the industry’s confidence in its services, has firm forward cruise specific investment plans. For 2015, it is investing no less than €28 million on upgrades and infrastructure development in Palma de Mallorca.

After opening a new pier, the port can now simultaneously host up to eight cruise vessels, six of which can be of 300 metres long. This year, Palma expects to receive 550 calls and welcome over 1.7 million passengers - a new record.

Its success owes much to the implementation of “working together” approach the industry has been calling for in recent years. The city, the port, and all other stakeholders have worked together to reinvent Palma as a dynamic, happy, cosmopolitan and year round destination for cruise tourism. It has been nominated by The Times as the “Best City in the World to Live”.

Palma’s success can also be attributed to its excellent air connections, good hotels, and the proximity to major European source markets. Throughout the year, the island hosts various events that draw visitors from far and wide, such as Art Brunch, Palma Photo, the well-known Nit de l’Art, numerous sporting gatherings, and musical festivals, not to mention its genteel atmosphere that has been a favourite destination for many for decades.

Besides Palma, Alcúdia offers an exclusive alternative for cruise ships and tourists for exploring Mallorca. The port boasts a proximity to one of the most spectacular beaches in the Mediterranean, with vineyards, golf courses, an old Roman city, and gastronomy to match.

With 120 calls and over 200,000 passengers a year, Ibiza – where hedonism is not an option but an obligation - is the second most popular cruise port of the Balearic Islands, It has lengthened its pier south of Botafoc to accommodate two vessels of 328 and 375 metres, respectively.

There is also the port of Mahon on the island of Menorca. Named as one of the “Things To Do Before You Die”, the island promote itself as the destination of “rediscovery”. APB is investing €2.7 million this year upgrading the passenger pier to accommodate larger ships and bigger volumes.

Besides its natural appeals, a Cruise Business Review study concludes that the success of Balearic Islands in attracting cruise traffics owns much to the port authority’s willingness to take on board the recommendations by the wider industry. For years, cruise lines have been calling for ports and destinations to promote their uniqueness, to work together with other interested parties and to prepare for year round cruising. The Balearic Islands Port Authority has implemented all of these.

Cruise facility opens in Hakata in Japan

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 17 June 2015 17 June 2015

The Chuo Wharf Cruise Center has opened for business in the Japanese port of Hakata near Fukuoka. Construction started in 2014 and the facility was officially opened at a ceremony on 17 May, although it had started to handle ships already two weeks earlier.

The Chuo Wharf Cruise Center is capable of handling turn arounds as well as calls. The largest ship to have used it so far was Costa Crociere's Costa Serena, which on 30 April brought some 3,500 passengers from China, the port said in a statement.