Star
Cruises Launches Strategic Redeployment Programme: SuperStar Virgo
Arrived in Hong Kong on 2 April
Star
Cruises was incorporated in September 1993, representing a bold
initiative to tap Asia Pacific’s potential as an international cruise
destination. In just over a decade since its inception, Star Cruises
has become the third largest cruise operator in the world, with a
combined fleet of 20 ships. In October 2007, the ship SuperStar Libra
was deployed to Hong Kong, and, in line with the progressive
development of the Greater China market, the largest and most
extravagant ship in Star Cruises fleet, SuperStar Virgo arrived in Hong
Kong on 2 April 2008 for the summer season.
MAINLAND
CHINA MARKET IS BOOMING
“The deployment of SuperStar Virgo, the most
extravagant cruise ship in our Asia fleet, to Hong Kong indicates Star
Cruises’ determination and focus on the booming Greater China market.
The cruise markets in both China and Hong Kong are maturing and this
move will strengthen the development of the cruise industry in the
region and help position Hong Kong as an international cruise hub,”
explains Mr Michael Goh, Vice President of Sales & Marketing,
Star Cruises. As well as being the most luxurious cruise liner in Star
Cruises’ Asian fleet, SuperStar Virgo is also the largest. It is as big
as 12 soccer fields, is the same weight as 136 A380 Airbus aeroplanes
and the same length as an MTR train. Its full range of facilities
provides a “destination” by itself. The ship has 935 cabins and 1,870
lower berths. Its 13 decks provide an array of onboard dining,
recreation and entertainment, which includes a 824-seat show lounge,
disco, cinema, swimming pools, fitness centre and spectacular stage
shows featuring famous guest artists. SuperStar Virgo provides premium
services, the style and relaxing atmosphere to cater for holidaymakers,
business groups and MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and
exhibitions) travel.
HONG
KONG IS ASIA’S REGIONAL AIRPORT HUB
“Hong
Kong has excellent international transport links enabling Star Cruises
to cater for customers from more markets. It provides opportunities and
convenience for our inbound and outbound passengers to join cruise
holidays,” Mr Goh explains. Hong Kong is geographically situated as the
gateway to China and centre of Asia Pacific, so all Asia’s key markets
are within four hours flight time and half the world’s population is
within five hours flight time. Hong Kong’s world-class airport is the
world’s fifth busiest international passenger airport and acts as the
hub of Asia, with 85 scheduled airlines providing nearly 800 flights
per day to over 150 destinations round the world. In 2007, annual
passenger throughput reached 46.3 million, up 7% over 2006, and the
airport is still expanding.
DEVELOPING
HONG KONG’S POSITION AS LEADING REGIONAL CRUISE CENTRE
“Star
Cruises has been impressed with the Government’s insight and support in
developing the city’s cruise and tourism industry. We have also been
very pleased with the entrepreneurial spirit of the Hong Kong people,”
explains Mr Goh.
The
Hong Kong SAR Government is investing in the infrastructure to make
Hong Kong into a leading regional cruise hub. A world-class Cruise
Terminal is being built with state-of-the-art facilities at the
southern end of old Kai Tak Airport runway. The first berth is expected
to be operational by 2012. The depth of the new berthing facilities
will allow cruise ships with displacement of 110,000 tons to berth in
Hong Kong harbour, 60,000 tons greater than the existing berthing
facilities at Ocean Terminal.
In the
recent budget, the Government announced an extra US$19 million to
promote Hong Kong as an international convention, exhibition and
tourism capital. More than US$1.3 billion is already being invested in
major Hong Kong tourism projects over the next five years.
Star
Cruises have been at the forefront of establishing the cruise industry
in the Asia Pacific region, working to develop cruising as an exciting
and value-for-money vacation for holidaymakers. In the nearly 15 years
it has been in operation, Star Cruises has won over 50 industry awards
from numerous travel organisations. They have included “Best Brands in
Leisure & Hospitality 2007”, Brand Laureate Award and “Best
Cruise Operator in Asia-Pacific”, and the TTG Asia Travel Award from
1997 to 2007. With its regional deployment programme, Star Cruises will
be able to provide a wide spectrum of itineraries and outstanding
cruising facilities for new markets.
www.starcruises.com