Leisure, entertainment and hospitality group Genting Hong Kong will deploy its cruise ship, SuperStar Virgo, at Tai Zi Bay, Shekou Shenzhen from November 2016, marking out Star Cruises as the first international cruise line to choose Shenzhen as its homeport.

The move follows a strategic cooperation between Genting Hong Kong and China Merchants Shekou Holdings to jointly develop Tai Zi Bay, Shekou, Shenzhen into an international cruise homeport with the goal of accelerating the growth of the cruise industry in China.

The deal was signed by Ang Moo Lim, Executive Vice President, Sales of Genting Hong Kong and President of Star Cruises, and Xu Yongjun, Managing Director of China Merchants Shekou Industrial Zone Holdings.

“Having observed the great potential of Shenzhen, from as early as 2002, we operated cruises to Vietnam from the old Shekou Port,” says Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Chairman and CEO of Genting Hong Kong. “We are pleased to see the development of Tai Zi Bay and even happier to ink a strategic alliance with China Merchant Group today, to join hands in developing cruise tourism in China.”

The company has, over the years, developed Sanya, Haikou, Shanghai, Xiamen and Guangzhou as homeports, making it the cruise company with the longest history and with the most homeports in Greater China.

‘SURGING CHINESE DEMAND’

Li Jianhong, Chairman of China Merchants Group, is confidence about the future prospects of the China cruise market. He says: “Asia’s cruise industry is booming and China is expected to become the fastest-growing country in the world as international cruise lines ramp up their operations in response to surging demand from China’s emerging middle class.”

In 2015, more than 1.2m Chinese travellers joined cruises and this number is expected to rise to 4.5m in five years, almost a fourfold increase.

In response to the increasing demand in the market, Genting Hong Kong is strengthening its strategic deployment plan in southern China and will offer a wide range of products optimised for Chinese travellers, providing them with easy access to cruises on their doorstep.

On-board duty free and travel retailers are also set to benefit from this key expansion in the market as more deployments to the Chinese market are expected to follow.

The Tai Zi Bay Cruise Terminal is the only cruise port in China capable of accommodating 220,000-ton cruise liners. SuperStar Virgo’s November debut in Tai Zi Bay, starts with a 4-night cruise calling at Halong Bay and Sanya; a 5-night cruise calling at Nha Trang, Da Nang and Sanya, as well as a 7-night cruise calling at Halong Bay, Da Nang, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City.