Cruise tourism in China has grown in popularity since the Spring Festival. On February 22, Shanghai's cruise port welcomed four international cruise ships docking simultaneously. Among them were the large domestic cruise ships "Aida Modu", "Gulangyu", "Blue Dream Star" and "Europa". Later in February, the Maltese luxury cruise ship "Europa" also docked in Shanghai, Qingdao and Tianjin.
Many places have implemented various measures to improve the tourist experience in China. For example, Dongjiang Border Inspection Station of Tianjin Border Inspection Station has designed a work plan, opened sufficient inspection channels and ensured efficient customs clearance for "Cuidedan" tourists.
As most cruise passengers are middle-aged or older, they may forget or misplace their boarding and disembarkation vouchers. If a passenger loses his or her voucher, it is promptly reissued once his or her identity is confirmed. This ensures a pleasant and hassle-free trip for tourists in China.
According to Ye Xinliang, a professor at Shanghai University of Engineering Science who studies the cruise economy, China's cruise economy is expected to experience a significant increase in its economic prosperity rate in 2023, exceeding expectations. He also predicts that 2024 will be a crucial year for the full development of cruise tourism in China. Professor Ye believes that China will have more cruise ships this year, and the growth rate is expected to exceed the world average.
Zheng Weihang, executive vice president of the cruise branch of the China Communications and Transportation Association, shares Professor Ye's optimism about the prospects of China's cruise economy. Mr. Zheng believes that China's cruise industry will enter the second "golden decade" of rapid development after this year and next.
The "cruise season" starting in the Year of the Dragon has become a highlight in China's accelerating inbound and outbound tourism recovery. According to data from China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, during this year's Spring Festival, there were approximately 6.83 million inbound and outbound tourists, with 3.6 million outbound tourists and 3.23 million inbound tourists, almost the same as in 2019. The China Tourism Academy predicts that the number of Chinese outbound tourists will reach 130 million by 2024.
The cruise market has attracted competition from international cruise lines. Royal Caribbean has announced that it will offer more than 130 international cruise itineraries to Chinese consumers from 2025 to 2026, leading the accelerated development of China's cruise tourism with a diversified route portfolio and a deployment plan of "double flagship and three home ports."
