Tourism Malaysia Boosts Global Cruise Industry Focus at Seatrade Cruise Global 2024

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Malaysia is aiming to capitalize on the cruise tourism sector as part of its strategy for Visit Malaysia 2026. In 2023, the country experienced a remarkable surge in cruise arrivals, with ports welcoming 1,055 ships carrying 1,520,608 passengers—an 84.78% increase in ship arrivals and a 62.43% rise in passengers compared to pre-pandemic rates in 2019.

As a burgeoning tourism hotspot in Southeast Asia, Malaysia currently serves as the homeport for two cruise lines operating from Port Klang in Kuala Lumpur, with plans for further expansion in the pipeline. The departure of the Costa Serena from Port Klang in January 2024 marked a significant milestone in Malaysia’s ambition to become a premier homeporting destination. Costa Serena joins the ranks of cruise partners choosing Kuala Lumpur as their homeport. This development positions cruise tourism as a pivotal sector in enhancing Malaysia’s global allure, aligning with the objectives of Visit Malaysia 2026, which aims to attract 35.6 million foreign tourists in 2026.

To support these objectives and in accordance with the National Transport Policy (NTP) 2019-2030, a Malaysian delegation led by The Honorable Loke Siew Fook, Minister of Transport Malaysia, is participating in Seatrade Cruise Global 2024, taking place from April 8 to 11, 2024, at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami, Florida, USA. Attendees are encouraged to visit booth #311 to engage with the Ministry of Transport Malaysia and its port authorities to learn more about Malaysia’s strategic location, top-notch infrastructure, and abundant natural and cultural attractions.

As part of the promotional efforts to position Malaysia as a premier homeporting destination, The Honorable Minister of Transport will deliver a keynote address titled “Malaysia Truly Asia: Malaysia Cruise Tourism” at the event. This platform will be utilized to showcase the advantages and potential of Malaysia as an appealing cruise destination. Malaysia’s emergence as a homeporting hub is expected to not only bolster the country’s tourism sector but also provide a significant boost to the local economy, benefiting various tourism-related industries such as hospitality, tourism services, food and beverage businesses, among others.

“We are again thrilled to be part of Seatrade Cruise Global. This event provides an excellent platform to highlight Malaysia’s potential as a homeport and to forge valuable connections with industry leaders. We look forward to engaging with the global cruise community and inviting them to experience the wonders of Malaysia, especially in developing suitable cruise tourism trips and packages into Malaysia”, said Mr. Akbal Setia, the Vice President of Tourism Malaysia – Americas. 

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