Cruise Industry as a Future Workplace... Jeju Province Launches Youth Talent Development Initiatives

Practical Onboard Experience Aboard the MSC Bellissima
New Interdisciplinary Major Established, Linked to 48-Day Onboard Internship
Expanded Boarding Opportunities for Elementary Students and Residents
Full Commitment to Establishing Jeju as a Key Homeport

Jeju Special Self-Governing Province has officially launched a field-based professional workforce development program that combines practical training on ultra-large cruise ships with global onboard internships for local university students, aiming to transform Jeju from a simple cruise stopover into a core “homeport” hub of the cruise industry.

Jeju Special Self-Governing Province conducted a boarding experience (ship tour) for 20 Jeju National University students on the 170,000-ton ultra-large cruise ship "MSC Bellissima," which arrived at Gangjeong Port on the 19th. Participating students toured the immigration procedures and onboard operating systems and exchanged practical work experiences with current crew members, exploring the cruise industry as a potential future workplace. Provided by Jeju Special Self-Governing Province.

On May 19, Jeju Province invited 20 Jeju University students to participate in a practical onboard experience (ship tour) aboard the 170,000-ton ultra-large cruise ship, MSC Bellissima, which docked at Gangjeong Port in Seogwipo City.

The university students directly experienced immigration procedures and toured key onboard operating systems. Through mentoring sessions with current crew members, they learned about the complex service and operational mechanisms within the cruise ship.

To ensure this is not just a one-off event, Jeju Province, in collaboration with Jeju University, has established a “Global Cruise Convergence Major” degree program, consisting of five customized courses including Marine Cruise Tourism Business, Maritime English, and more.

Selected students who complete this program will board the MSC Bellissima for a 48-day global onboard internship starting August 7, during which they will gain hands-on practical experience. This will be officially recognized, thereby expanding their opportunities for employment with global cruise lines.

This multifaceted approach to talent development represents a long-term strategy by the provincial government to move beyond simple growth based on shopping and tourism revenues from cruise ship visits. Instead, the goal is to build a knowledge-based, high value-added industrial ecosystem by supplying cruise ship operational personnel locally. Since securing human infrastructure is critical to leading the high value-added homeport industry, industry attention is focused on the success of this employment-linked model, which brings together local government, universities, and global cruise operators.

Additionally, to broaden public support for the cruise industry, Jeju Province is significantly expanding boarding experience events for local residents. Following a similar event at Haean Elementary School in March, students from Ildo Elementary School will participate in a cruise experience on May 28, and in the second half of the year, opportunities will be offered to the general public and related organizations as well.

Kim Jongsu, Director of the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Bureau of Jeju Province, emphasized, “To grow Jeju into a homeport for cruises, the cultivation of young talent to drive the industrial ecosystem is essential. Through close cooperation with global cruise companies, we will establish a virtuous cycle in which practical onboard internships lead directly to youth employment.”

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