New CruiseWorld China Event

What:
The trade publication Travel Weekly China recently announced the launch of CruiseWorld China, which will take place Oct. 12 in Shanghai. The one-day event, held at Le Royal Meridien Shanghai, will bring hundreds of travel agents and cruise industry leaders together in a day filled with insights from top cruise executives and distribution partners, and provide a networking opportunity for attendees. 

Why It Matters:
Simply put, China is the hottest travel market on the planet, and most experts feel that cruising has virtually unlimited potential there. At the very least, the rise of the cruise segment in China will certainly influence cruise lines’ plans around the globe. Major sponsors at CruiseWorld China include three of the biggest cruise lines — Carnival Corporation, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International — and their CEOs and top-level executives will be participating in the conference. By extending the CruiseWorld brand to China, Northstar Travel Media (the parent company of TravelAge West) is making sure travel agents have a seat at the table, as well. 

Fast Facts:
- Topics to be discussed include how technology is changing consumer demand; growth trends for the China cruise market; consumer loyalty; and more. 

- Among the confirmed speakers is Dr. Zinan Liu, president of China and North Asia Pacific region for Royal Caribbean International. The line’s fifth ship in the region, Ovation of the Seas, will launch in April 2016 and will be available for guests in June 2016. Her sister ship, Quantum of the Seas, arrived in China in 2015. 

- Frank Del Rio, CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., will also be speaking at CruiseWorld China. The company will have ships from all three of its brands (Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises) sailing in Asia beginning next year to help increase brand awareness in the region. 

- Also addressing the audience is Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation. Carnival recently announced it will add two more China-based ships in 2016, increasing its fleet of Costa and Princess branded ships that homeport in China to six. 

What They Are Saying:
“We are so pleased to launch CruiseWorld China,” said Bob Sullivan, president of the Travel Group at Northstar Travel Media. “This is an exclusive event in China where travel agents and industry executives can meet to discuss the most important issues affecting today’s travel landscape.”

“We are honored to have so many high-level industry executives at our event,” said Susan Li, editor of Travel Weekly China. “They recognize the importance of the travel agent community in China and are dedicating their time to share their viewpoint on today’s trends and issues.”

The Details