TIPC Hosts the 2024 Taiwan Cruise Forum, Joins Partners in Industry, Government, and Academia to Capitalize on New Era of Opportunity for Taiwan’s Cruise Travel Sector
The 2024 Taiwan Cruise Forum hosted by Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC) opened in grand form today (December 4th) at the Howard Plaza Hotel Taipei. This year’s theme, “Asia’s Cruise Hub - Innovation and Cooperation Powering Taiwan’s Cruise Industry Forward” was chosen to spotlight the cruise sector’s ongoing sustained and robust growth in Asia. The morning session featured keynote speeches by TIPC, the Maritime and Port Bureau (MPB), and the Tourism Administration. In the afternoon, a roundtable attended by International Cruise Council Taiwan (ICCT), the Association for Cruises Development of Taiwan (ACDT), and Taiwan representatives of Resorts World Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, and Costa Cruises shared insights and discussed how to further build and deepen cooperation between ports and port cities and between ports and cruise line operators. Overall, the forum highlighted Taiwan’s recent port-city development experience as a model that port cities worldwide may study and potentially emulate.
During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, TIPC helped ensure the rapid post-pandemic recovery of Taiwan’s cruise travel sector by implementing significant enhancements to port soft and hard infrastructures and forging closer partnerships with port city administrations. Furthermore, MPB and Tourism Administration-supported financial incentives and international marketing campaigns as well as regular dialogue with international cruise lines and major domestic travel agencies added critical fuel to cruise vacation messaging and promotions. The results have been impressive, with international cruise lines connecting and reconnecting with Taiwan in steadily rising numbers. Impressively, the total number of cruise passenger arrivals this year (2024) is expected to exceed 80% of the pre-pandemic peak!
In his presentation, MOTC Administrative Deputy Minister Kuo-Shian LIN remarked that his ministry works on the principle of creating and supporting “user-centered transportation systems that benefit Taiwan as a whole”. This, he explained, puts convenience, connectivity, and user-friendliness front and center as salient priorities in MOTC transportation system-related projects. Based on this, he continued, in close cooperation with local government agencies, MOTC has been working diligently to realize seamless, convenient connectivity between ports and their adjacent cities. The results give cruise passengers quick and easy access to port-city culinary, cultural, and historical attractions and more opportunities to enjoy the warmth and diversity that make Taiwan such a uniquely special and welcoming destination. MOTC efforts in this regard deliver significant and immediate wins for both the cruise travel sector and local tourism while laying the groundwork for strong competitiveness in the international cruise market going forward.
TIPC President Chin-jung Wang presented on the topic “TIPC Port Infrastructure Today and Tomorrow - Creating Asia’s New Cruise Ship Hub”. He shared that his company is deeply aware of the importance to the cruise industry of modern, comprehensive port facilities. TIPC’s strategic planning and major investments for more than a decade have, he said, already significantly upgraded critical soft and hard infrastructures, giving Taiwan’s ports the state-of-the-art, world-class facilities necessary to handle cruise ship calls smoothly and professionally and to clear both incoming and outgoing passengers safely, comfortably, and expeditiously. Finally, TIPC will continue offering port incentives for 2025 and 2026 to attract cruise liners to increase port calls in Taiwan. For more information, please refer to the link below: https://cruise.twport.com.tw/Articles.aspx?a=2630&l=2.
Taiwan’s rich diversity of tourism resources and offshore islands suggests a virtually endless variety of itinerary ideas that are ideally suited for small and expedition cruise calls, with passengers able to engage in-depth with local culture and heritage even during short-term stays. This year’ s forum addressed the potential for “island-hopping” cruises in the presentation by the MPB entitled “Future Blueprint for Promoting Taiwan Island-Hopping Cruise Itineraries”, with attendees engaging in a productive discussion on related prime opportunities and potential strategies.
Recognizing the overriding importance of Taiwan’s port cities to cruise ship tourism, following the Tourism Administration’s discussion of national spotlight tourism attractions and promotion incentive programs, county and municipal government representatives talked in turn about their local spotlight attractions. This session offered an insightful glimpse into the multifaceted allure of Taiwan’s tourism landscape and into how Taiwan can indeed be a rich source of new experiences and fulfilling pleasures for cruise passengers.
Stable growth in international cruise passenger arrivals can be expected to grow job opportunities in the passenger services sector. Thus, today’s forum was also attended by ICCT and a number of post-secondary school representatives, with related discussions highlighting the importance to Taiwan, as an island nation, of training up professionals able to work and build careers in the cruise industry to support the nation’s long-term competitiveness in the sector. Cruise line representatives spoke highly of the future prospects for Taiwan, noting the nation’s position at the heart of regional cruise routes and its convenient inclusion in both North Asia (Japan, Korea) and Southeast Asia itineraries. They further revealed that exciting new routes and itineraries will continue to be developed and promoted, underscoring the international industry’s strong confidence in the further development potential of Taiwan as a cruise destination and partner.
TIPC Chairman Hsien-yi Lee noted that the cruise ship market is recovering in step with the overall recovery of global tourism. According to CLIA statistics, the 31.7 million who took cruises last year (2023) already exceeds the 29.7 million who took cruises during the year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (2019). Furthermore, this year’s numbers are on target to reaching an estimated 34.7 million cruise passengers in 2024, representing a significant year-on-year increase of 9.5%. The cruise line planning and strategies discussed from the perspectives of both port cities and cruise operators as well as the stories of how multiparty cooperation has successfully increased the attractiveness of specific cruise itineraries have not only helped bring new collective strength and vision to Taiwan Cruise Forum’s stakeholders but also benefitted all participants individually, giving everyone an important touchpoint for promoting and growing the Taiwan cruise travel sector in the years ahead.
Provided by：Harbor Operation Management Dept., TIPC
Contact Person：Ta-wei Wu, Manager
Telephone No.：07-521900#3350
E-mail Address：T03159@twport.com.tw