Costa Classica is tied up in Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui on her first trip to Hong kong yesterday. She is Costa's second ship deployed permanently in the Asian market. Edmond Tang

HONG KONG: Asia holds potential to develop a cruise industry despite the financial crisis that seems to be growing deeper, an international cruise company said.

Massimo Brancaleoni, vice president of Pacific Asia Operations of Costa Cruises, said his company plans to focus on Asia.

"Despite the economic downturn, we will continue to develop this market. Cruise industry in Asia is pretty good," he told reporters yesterday after the welcoming ceremony for Costa's second ship, Costa Classica, which will have its home port in Asia.

He added Costa has been expanding its interests from the West to the East.

Brancaleoni predicted the demand on the mainland for cruising would grow in the double digits next year.

As a member of the Advisory Committee on the Cruise Industry, Brancaleoni believed Hong Kong has good potential to develop cruise tourism.

"Kai Tak will be the cruise terminal. The location is very good," he said.

Brancaleoni added the only disadvantage is that construction takes time. The terminal is expected to commence operation by mid-2013.

Costa says now is the time to start persuading travelers to enjoy the virtues of Ocean cruising. But the company stressed facilities must provide passengers with added value.

To achieve that objective, bigger ships will be introduced to the Asia Pacific region in the future. Fees in 2009 have also dropped less than 10 percent year on year.

The 53,000-ton Costa Classica can carry 1,680 passengers. Brancaleoni wants to bring in liners up to 90,000 tons by 2011.

In view of the small berth in Hong Kong, Brancaleoni said large cruises would look to other Asian ports.

The world's largest ocean liner Queen Mary 2 had to anchor at Kwai Tsing Container Terminals when it came to Hong Kong in 2007.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Tourism Board said inbound tourists spent 12 percent more in Hong Kong last year, with the total expenditure reaching HK$159 billion.

The average spending amounted to HK$5,439 for those staying overnight.

Chairman James Tien predicted the figures are not likely to sustain, as people will prefer shorter-haul tours and they will spend less.

"Starting from the second half of last year, when the global financial crisis began to affect economies worldwide, visitors' spending started to decrease, especially for those from the long-haul regions," he said.

(HK Edition 04/10/2009 page1)