Simultaneous cruise arrivals boost Xiamen's growing market
Two cruises simultaneously dock at the Xiamen International Cruise Center. [Photo/Xiamen International Cruise Center]
With the coming of Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday, the cruise market in Xiamen is heating up. Star Voyager and Blue Dream Cruise docked simultaneously at the Xiamen International Cruise Center in East China's Fujian province on Sept 27.
Making a port of call in Xiamen, Star Voyager has carried thousands of domestic and international visitors eager to experience the charm of the "Garden on the Sea", while Blue Dream Cruise, with Xiamen as its home port, attracts domestic tourists looking to vacation in Okinawa, Japan.
In face of the operation pressure brought by the two cruises, relevant departments have made special plans to upgrade and guarantee the full-process services. Thirty-four human service channels and 20 fast tracks have been opened to achieve continuous and efficient customs clearance.
The center has received a 105-year-old passenger, the eldest passenger it ever received, from Star Voyager. The passenger has experienced the convenience and advantage of cruise travel with the guide of immigration officers and the intelligent custom clearance infrastructures.
Since its maiden voyage on Sept 20, Star Voyager has received positive market feedback and adjusted its schedule by adding four additional voyages.
Why Xiamen
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Xiamen is one of the most economically competitive cities in China and was one of the first Special Economic Zones on the Chinese mainland. As a vice-provincial city independently listed on the State development plan, it has provincial-level authority in economic administration and local legislative power. In 2010, the Xiamen SEZ was expanded to cover the entire municipality. Today, Xiamen is a modern and international port city.