Geo-political tension threatens South China Sea cruise market: experts
Geo-political tensions in the South China Sea are threatening growth in Asia's burgeoning cruise holiday market, industry experts say
Military and political tensions in the South China Sea are threatening the development of Asia's burgeoning cruise holiday market, shipping and travel experts say.
Dr Liu Zinan, chairman of the Asia Cruise Association, said the Sino-Japanese dispute over the Diaoyu Islands was "having an adverse impact on us".
Liu, who is also regional vice-president for Asia for Royal Caribbean Cruises, said Beijing had relaxed travel restrictions, but for the "foreseeable future we can't make the best use of the government permits", especially when it came to "itineraries to Taiwan and Japan".
He said any discussion about developing cruise itineraries in the South China Sea had to take into account geo-political issues.
"Unfortunately they come to [affect] us again and again," he told delegates to the Seatrade Hong Kong Cruise Forum yesterday.
Either people would be deterred from travelling or the threat of military action would curtail voyages between China, South Korea and Japan.
The cruise association represents about 40 organisations including cruise, port and tour companies and tourism authorities.