The Korea Tourism Organization revealed that an average tourist who visited Korea by cruise in 2014 spent 1,170,000 won (US$ 1,070), as 1,050,000 cruise tourists in Korea last year spent more than 1 trillion won (US$ 915 million). (image: MOF)
SEJONG, May 8 (Korea Bizwire) — The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) is preparing various measures to boost Korea’s cruise industry, as it expects the country to become a geographical hub at the center of East Asian cruise routes, and especially China’s main ports of call.
As the number of cruise tourists to Asian regions grew 6.5 percent to 1,370,000 in 2013 compared to 2012, the Korean government is planning to set Busan, Incheon, Jeju, Sokcho and Yeosu as home ports from which cruises will be able to depart.
The ministry is also currently establishing rough plans to develop distribution centers at home ports and R&D centers around the nation for repairing and building cruise ships. The ministry is also expecting to have 500 professional cruise-associated workers by 2019.
The Korea Tourism Organization revealed that an average tourist who visited Korea by cruise in 2014 spent 1,170,000 won (US$ 1,070), as 1,050,000 cruise tourists in Korea last year spent more than 1 trillion won (US$ 915 million).
As cruise passengers are usually uncomfortable spending more than 20 hours at sea, Korean ports have a unique advantage as ports of call, since they can function as rest stops to any destination in Asia.
By M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
