More cruise lines drawn to Thailand
MORE INTERNATIONAL cruise lines are sailing to Thailand, seeing the country as an emerging destination. This presents a great opportunity to supply on-board professionals and offer Thai hospitality in the new segment.
Yuphawan Nangklaphivat, deputy dean of the College of Tourism and Hospitality, Sripatum University, said the cruise business in Thailand would continue to grow despite the economic slowdowns here and in many other countries.
She said more international cruise operators were adding Thailand as a new destination linking with other countries such as Singapore and Australia. At least four ports are welcoming foreign cruise ships: Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui, and Laem Chabang Deep Seaport.
“It’s not only international lines heading into Thailand. In fact, some Thai investors own cruise lines and operate overseas, |often embarking at ports here,” she said.
According to the Cruise Lines International Association, there are 238 cruise liners globally, operated by three major groups, mostly based in the United States. The CLIA said 23 million customers worldwide spent their vacations on cruises last year, up from 17 million in 2009 and representing annual growth of 7 per cent.
There are 980 ports for cruise ships but most of the famous ones are in the Caribbean and North America.
In Thailand, international cruise liners made port 374 times last year, carrying 579,000 passengers. Of that number, 303 ships were in transit, 12 were turn-arounds, and 59 were overnight stays.
A total of 81 per cent of the |liners landed in Phuket and the |rest went to Koh Samui, Krabi |or Laem Chabang.
“The cruise business in Thailand grew by 28 per cent between 2014 and 2015 and the future is expected to be just as bright. However, the biggest problem in Thailand is the lack of good ports. It we could have ports as good as in other countries, we could be a hub for cruises,” Yuphawan said.
The CLIA also reported that eight to 12 new cruise ships were delivered worldwide each year, which means more market demand on the horizon. China alone is expected to drive huge growth in Asia over next five to 10 years.|Some liners will serve only the China market.
Yuphawan said Sripatum University had created a cruise-onboard-service curriculum two years ago, teaching a full range of services such as reception, dining, housekeeping, bars, photography, public relations, foreign languages, Thai and international hospitality and imperative requirements such as seamanship.
Each student requires a budget of Bt200,000 for the whole |programme, but graduates can earn high incomes, she said.
