Seatrade votes Singapore ‘top cruise destination’ again

The Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC) has received the top cruise destination award at the 10th Seatrade Cruise Awards for the second time in three years, which follows on from last month’s separate award as the leading Asian port of call at the Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has long supported the SCC alongside promoting the airport facilities and Singapore’s tourism facilities in a coordinated marketing campaign and it says the appeal of the country’s cruise port ‘owes much’ to the country’s very well connected Changi Airport, as well its ‘world-class berthing facilities’.

AGGRESSIVE CRUISE PROMOTION

In a statement, the STB said: “In its efforts to grow the industry, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has established more than 10 marketing partnerships with cruise lines and trade partners, profiling Singapore across multiple media platforms in six major source markets to drive cruise passenger numbers.

“In addition, over 800 overseas travel agents were given training so that they are better equipped with the knowledge of selling cruises from Singapore, while others were taken on familiarisation trips on-board cruises in the region.”

FAST GROWING TOURISM SECTOR

The SCC added that Singapore’s tourism industry stakeholders are also key in enhancing the cruise experience, by offering differentiated pre- or post-cruise activities convey ‘an enriching story of Singapore’.

The STB says it recorded a 14% year-on-year increase in cruise passenger throughput in 2015 and it is evidently proud that Royal Caribbean International holding has now begun its longest-ever home porting season in Singapore from October 2016 to May 2017.