Phuket marked a significant milestone in its cruise tourism industry with the arrival of the Genting Dream cruise ship at the deep-sea port on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. This event underscores Phuket’s potential to become a major hub for large cruise ships in the region.
Key Takeaways
- The Genting Dream, arriving from Singapore, has a gross tonnage of 150,695 and can accommodate 3,600 passengers.
- This is the first large cruise ship to dock directly at Phuket’s deep-sea port, previously requiring service boats for passenger transport.
- The successful docking highlights Phuket’s potential to attract more large cruise ships as part of its Marina Hub development policy.
- The cruise business in Phuket has tripled since the pre-COVID-19 era, with at least 17 cruise ships visiting the island monthly.
- Plans are underway to further develop the deep-sea port into a new regional cruise terminal.
A New Milestone for Phuket’s Cruise Tourism
The arrival of the Genting Dream at Phuket’s deep-sea port is a landmark event for the island’s cruise tourism sector. The ship, which hails from Singapore, boasts a gross tonnage of 150,695 and has the capacity to host 3,600 passengers. It typically visits Phuket twice a month, staying for 24 hours each time.
Adul Chuthong, the Deputy Governor of Phuket, announced that no dangerous items or diseases were found among the passengers upon the ship’s arrival. This marks the first time a large cruise ship has docked directly at the deep-sea port, a significant improvement from the previous practice of anchoring at sea and transporting passengers via service boats.
Boosting Phuket’s Marina Hub Development
The successful docking of the Genting Dream underscores Phuket’s potential to attract more large cruise ships as part of its Marina Hub development policy. Natchapong Pranit, Director of the Regional Marine Office of the province, noted that the cruise business in Phuket has tripled since the pre-COVID-19 era. Currently, at least 17 cruise ships visit the island each month.
The Ministry of Marine Affairs has ambitious plans to further develop the deep-sea port into a new regional cruise terminal. "We are confident that these developments will significantly boost the cruise business," said Natchapong.
Collaboration and Future Prospects
Michael Goh, President of Resorts World Cruises, emphasized the extensive collaboration with local pilots, which lasted over six months to ensure the smooth arrival of the ship. "The arrival of the Genting Dream will further invigorate marine tourism in Phuket and across Thailand," said Goh. He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Marine Affairs and local authorities for their support in making this significant event possible.
The future looks promising for Phuket’s cruise tourism industry, with ongoing developments and increasing interest from major cruise lines. The successful docking of the Genting Dream is just the beginning of a new era for the island as a premier cruise destination.
Sources
- Phuket begrüßt Genting Dream im Hafen, DER FARANG.
