Asia cruise port cooperative adds Philippines and Hainan

Two more ports have joined the Asia Cruise Fund set up earlier this year to help increase the number of port calls in Asia by international cruise lines.

The founding members of the fund were Hong Kong and Taiwan. They will be joined by the Philippines and Hainan, China, according to an announcement by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Taiwan Tourism Bureau (TTB).

The fund offers incentives to cruise lines that agree to create itineraries that visit more than one port in the fund.

Wayne Liu, deputy director-general of the TTB, said that the agreement transforms the alliance from a single line between two places to an entire area.

“We are confident that by linking the unique features of these four destinations, we will enrich the content of the Asian packages offered by cruise operators and strengthen their confidence in the Asian market,” he said.

Memberships for Hainan and the Philippines become official in December 2014 and April 2015, respectively.