Norwegian cruise line operator Viking Cruises said as China's tourism market continues to recover and demand for outbound travel rises, it has seen an upbeat business performance for cruises departing the country and will begin a new route from Shenzhen, Guangdong province, to Vietnam and Hong Kong in December.
In June, China Merchants Viking Cruises, a joint venture established by Viking Cruises and China Merchants Shekou, became the first international cruise operator to operate a 15-day round-trip cruise from Shanghai to Japan. The last trip departed in late October.
Meanwhile, Viking Cruises will resume existing or launch new global itineraries next year to cater to growing travel demand. It will resume the operation of its 11-day Danube River itinerary and bookings have been high since it opened ticketing sales. The cruise liner will also operate a route to discover some smaller Eastern European cities next year.
Currently, China stands as the second-largest cruise market after the United States. By 2035, some 14 million Chinese consumers are foreseen to take cruise trips annually, with China set to become the largest cruise market globally, according to a forecast by the Cruise Lines International Association.
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