Busan Port to become a maritime tourism business hub by vitalizing cruise industry
Busan Port Authority stated that it aims to become a marine tourism & business hub this year through vitalizing the cruise business at Busan Port, the company said in its press release.
Despite the deployment of THAAD on the Korean Peninsula last year, Busan Port successfully attracted 108 voyages and 170 thousand cruise tourists from Japan, Taiwan, and so on.
Even though the figure was decreased compared to that of 2016 which was the highest record since its opening(209 voyages and 570 thousand passengers), the port was able to attract 31 new voyages for Korea-Japan sub home port, increase 3 voyages for Taiwanese cruise vessels and also increase 23 voyages for Busan home port(sub home port) yoy.
124 cruise vessels and 270 thousand passengers are scheduled to enter the port this year. Moreover, the port anticipates to see the growth in the number of vessels and passengers if the Chinese government lifts its ban for tour to Korea.
The first vessel that will enter Busan Port this year is Majestic Princess(140thousand tons, 330meters) on Feb. 28th. The vessel carries 3,000 passengers travelling from Shanghai to Busan-Singapore-Japan.
BPA plans to boost its marketing activities in China, Taiwan and Russia and to engage in attracting cruise home port and sub home port to invigorate the cruise industry by working closely with institutions and companies related to the East Sea Rim cruise business.
In addition, BPA will cooperate with Korean customs, immigration office, Busan City, and MOF in order to provide the best service to cruise vessels and passengers.
Mr. WOO stated “We will work together with related organizations to vitalize cruise tourism and to create Busan Port as a new maritime economic hub.”
