Dream Cruises to launch Asean route

Dream Cruises under Genting will be making Singapore at its home port on December 3 this year. It also launches relevant cruise packages taking passengers to visit Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam in its bid to develop cruise tourism industry in Asean countries.
At the press conference of Genting Dream, Thatcher Brown, president of Dream Cruises said Singapore is strategic in terms of its geographical location and ideal to be home port for Dream Cruises. He hopes to help cruise tourism to develop in Asean countries.
Singapore Tourism Board Chief Executive Lionel Yeo said he welcomes the move by Genting Dream making Singapore as its home port. This means Southeast Asia has the potential to be a cruise destination in the world. He hopes Asean countries work closely to develop the cruise tourism industry.
Made in Germany, the Dream Cruises started its inaugural cruise in November last year. It often calls the ports of Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Sanya home. The 150,000 tonne liner can accommodate 3,400 guests and 2,000 crew.
Cruise passengers enjoy various types of leisure and entertainment activities on board such as six-water-slides water theme park, car race simulation, bowling centres, Asian wellness centre, western SPA, gym and other facilities.

4.5 m passengers targeted 
At the joint press conference of 20th Asean Tourism Ministers’ Meeting, Singapore Trade and Industry Minister S Iswaran said Asean members promised to develop cruise tourism in Southeast Asia to achieve the target of attracting 4.5 million of Southeast Asia passengers by 2035.
Indonesian Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said the ministry would take the lead by commencing the basic utilities for cruise in five Indonesian ports: Tanjung Priok, Tanjung Perak, Belawan, Makassar and south bay of Bali Island for mega cruise ship to berth.
At the same time, immigration procedures would be reviewed to ensure all check points and information channel are standardised to support the development of cruise tourism.
Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said the country will also be developing facilities and tourism sports for cruise based on its national cruise strategic development plan 2016.
The Southeast Asia Cruise Development Report published recently said up to 2014, cruise tourism has raked in US$3.35 billion (Bt18 billion) 
of revenue in its economic contribution and created 34,000 of job opportunities.
The report said there are 25 million cruise passengers throughout the world in 2016 where 60 per cent of them are from North America. European passengers made up 25 per cent while Asian passengers 15 per cent.
The number of Asian passengers is increasing. Based on prediction, cruise tourism is anticipated to attract 35.5 million to 42.1 million of passengers in the world.