Overview of the meeting (Photo: TITC)

Ms. Wendy Yamazaki stated, Royal Caribbean Group was founded in 1969, is known for some of the world’s largest cruise ships. After the Covid-19 pandemic was successfully controlled, Royal Caribbean has fully resumed its operations.

According to Ms. Wendy Yamazaki, the potential to develop cruise tourism in the Asia region is large. Asia region generates good revenue and plays an important role in the operations of Royal Caribbean Group. Vietnam is one of the three destinations that have been favoured by international cruise visitors, along with Thailand and Singapore. Moreover, with a cruise itinerary along the Pacific coast, Vietnam is an important "anchor" point for cruise tours of Royal Caribbean.

VNAT’s Vice Chairman Ha Van Sieu had a reception with Ms. Wendy Yamazaki, Regional Vice President, Government Relations (Asia) of Royal Caribbean Group (Photo: TITC)

Recently, Spectrum Of The Sea, Royal Caribbean's newest Ultra Quantum cruise line, carried nearly 5,000 international passengers to Phu My Port (Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province) last February, with 60% of visitors with US, UK and Australian citizenship. In which, there are 3,000 visitors disembarked to participate in tours to visit Ho Phap Pagoda, Tan Hoa Oratory, visit Hoa Long Market and ancient house in Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province; The other group travelled to Ho Chi Minh City to visit Reunification Palace, City Post Office, City Theater, shopping at Ben Thanh market, participating in cooking classes, visiting Cu Chi tunnels, cycling to see rubber forests, rice fields and visiting Long Phuoc tunnels.

Therefore, Royal Caribbean Group has been looking forward to cooperating with VNAT to boost the development of attractive and diversified cruise tourism products, suitable to the tastes of international customer segments, especially family groups and high-spending visitors, giving favourable conditions for passengers to disembark and spend more in Vietnam.

Regarding visas of international visitors, Royal Caribbean hopes that the Vietnamese Government will continue to offer favourable conditions for visa policy, expanding the beneficiaries of e-visa, expanding the visa exemption policy, increasing the application of technology in immigration procedures...

Sending his congratulation on the return of Royal Caribbean Group, VNAT’s Vice Chairman Ha Van Sieu stressed, cruise tourism is a type of tourism with great potential for development in Vietnam. Thanks to Vietnam’s long coastline, rich natural and cultural resources, Vietnam is now one of the attractive destinations for international tourists. Royal Caribbean Group should actively connect and work closely with VNAT and other relevant localities to build innovative and attractive cruise products and cruise packages suitable for different segments of tourists. Furthermore, Royal Caribbean and VNAT can conduct a survey on international visitors to dig deeper into their likes and demands, thereby, to develop additional diversified products, increase the experience for tourists to Vietnam.

Currently, the tourism industry has coordinated with relevant ministries and sectors to proactively propose at all levels to continue to facilitate visa and entry-exit policies. The National Assembly of Vietnam will have the 5th meeting and consider promulgating a Resolution on this issue.

According to VNAT’s Vice Chairman Ha Van Sieu, VNAT and Royal Caribbean can organise a conference on cruise tourism with the participation of Vietnamese localities, as well as organise a fam trip, press trip to inspect the Spectrum Of The Sea and a tour to experience a number of outstanding tourist destinations in Vietnam for Royal Caribbean Group leaders.

Leaders of both side exchanging souvenir (Photo: TITC)

Delegates taking souvenir photo (Photo: TITC)

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