Cruise Ship Entry Resumes at Incheon Port from March Next Year... IPA Accelerates Marketing Efforts

Incheon Port Cruise Terminal [Provided by Incheon Port Authority]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon Port Authority (IPA) announced on the 25th that it will carry out various activities to prepare for the resumption of cruise ship arrivals and departures at Incheon Port and to revitalize the marine tourism industry following the lifting of quarantine measures related to cruise ships.

IPA is making thorough preparations, including inspecting the Incheon Port cruise terminal facilities and strengthening cooperation with CIQ (Customs, Immigration Office, and Quarantine Office) to ensure smooth entry and exit procedures, ahead of the arrival of the Norwegian Cruise Line's Seven Seas Explorer in March next year.

Additionally, on the 27th, IPA will jointly conduct a 'Port Sales' event targeting the Japanese cruise industry in Tokyo, Japan, together with related organizations such as the Korea Tourism Organization and Incheon Tourism Organization.

On the 4th of next month, IPA plans to operate a cruise promotion booth and hold a briefing session at the International Travel Fair held in Taipei, Taiwan, to promote Incheon Port and tourist attractions in Incheon.

Earlier, to attract cruise ships, IPA participated in marketing activities at the German Cruise Online Tourism Expo in February, the Miami Seatrade Cruise Global in April, the Jeju International Cruise Forum in August, and the Korea Cruise Travel Mart in October.

Last month and this month, IPA invited Marella Cruises, a British cruise company, and Silversea Cruises, a Monaco-flagged cruise line, respectively, to Incheon to introduce the Incheon Port cruise terminal and nearby major tourist sites.

Next year, a total of 10 world cruises are scheduled to call at Incheon, with an expected passenger count of approximately 12,800. IPA aims to attract an additional 10 ships, bringing the total to 20 ships and 30,000 cruise passengers arriving at Incheon Port next year.

Entry into the country and disembarkation tourism for foreign travelers via cruise ships had been prohibited since February 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19 but the ban was lifted on the 24th.

Kim Seongcheol, Head of the Passenger Business Division at IPA, stated, "In line with the resumption of cruise tourism worldwide, we will ensure that more than 20 cruise ships visit Incheon Port next year," adding, "We will carry out even more intensive cruise marketing activities to positively impact the revitalization of the local economy through cruise ship arrivals."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.