SINGAPORE 22 May 2019: Chinese travellers dominate Asia’s cruise market, but Taiwanese and Singaporeans are not far behind according to the 2018 Asia Cruise Industry Ocean Source Market Report released Monday.
Commissioned by the Cruise Lines International Association, the report offers an in-depth look at the growth, demographics and trends of the top source markets in Asia.
While China continues to dominate the passenger share of Asia, cruise passengers from Taiwan and Singapore have been steadily growing in numbers. Multiple source markets, many of which registered double-digit growths in 2018, contributed to Asia’s record-breaking 4.24 million ocean-going cruise passengers. Asia is the third largest cruise region after North America and Europe.
“With nine out of 10 Asian cruise travellers choosing to cruise in Asia, it is clear that cruising will keep growing in popularity as more capacity will be deployed to Asia in the next few years,” said CLIA Australasia & Asia managing director Joel Katz.
“Asian cruise passengers are found across the age spectrum, suggesting different consumer segments interested in a cruise holiday and providing numerous possibilities for industry partners to develop the cruise penetration rate in this region.”
Market report highlights
Asian cruise passengers have an estimated average age of 45.4 years, lower than the global average of 47 years. Only three markets show real divergence: India, a young 37-year average; Indonesia a 39-year average and Japan an older 57 years.
Asian cruise passengers predominantly sail in Asia with more than 50% (2,194K) cruising in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Almost 40% (1,694K) cruise in the rest of Asia.
Outside of Asia, the Mediterranean, Caribbean/South America, Baltics/Northern Europe, and Alaska were popular choices, in that order.
Shorter sailings remain the dominant choice of Asians, 89% of whom are sailing four to six nights with an average duration of 4.9 days.
The 2018 Asia Cruise Industry Ocean Source Market Report is based on 2018 calendar year passenger statistics provided by CLIA’s ocean Cruise Line members, representing over 95% of the global cruise industry capacity, plus additional data collected by Chart Management Consultants from other sources than CLIA cruise lines.
