The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is continuing to work closely with
the cruise industry to help them adapt to the evolving local and global
Covid-19 situation.
Measures include the successful implementation of the necessary
health and safety measures for safe cruising in the new environment.
Cruises are winning over fans who never considered cruising as a leisure option prior to the pandemic. Cruises are often sailing at or close to their current permissible capacity.– Annie Chang, Singapore Tourism Board
Over 430,000 passengers have sailed on close to 320 sailings since Singapore restarted cruises in November 2020.
“We
have been encouraged to see many first-time and repeat cruisers,” said
Annie Chang, director of cruise, policy and planning group at Singapore
Tourism Board.
“Cruises are winning over fans who never considered cruising as a
leisure option prior to the pandemic. Cruises are often sailing at or
close to their current permissible capacity.”
STB's Annie Chang is encouraged by the growing trend of first-time and repeat cruisers in Singapore.
Chang said STB is capturing this new wave of interest, working with the cruise lines to explore new onboard offerings.
In
preparation for the return of fly-cruise, cruise agents can tap on
STB’s Cruise Development Fund, a grant scheme that supports the
development and marketing of cruise packages.
“Through such partnerships, STB helps cruise agents launch effective
marketing campaigns to promote sailings from Singapore and showcase
enticing cruise and land experiences, in turn attracting more travellers
and
cruise converts to our shores.”
STB will also continue to engage cruise lines to resume homeporting in Singapore.
“We are cognisant that ports of call are essential to the
sustainability and appeal of cruises. STB has been engaging our
Southeast Asian counterparts to ensure the region is well poised to
capture demand when cruising resumes progressively,” Chang added.