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ecruising Asia Pacific Limited today (November 3) announced the official launch of its regional headquarters in Hong Kong. Its office is located at Level 22L, 151 Hollywood Road, Central.
ecruising is an Australian online cruise travel agency representing over 33 cruise lines, 21 airlines and 64 hotels around the world. Its new Hong Kong office will offer almost 1,000 cruise holiday options for the residents and agents in the city.
ecruising's new operation in Hong Kong has been appointed Preferred Sales Agents (PSA) in the region for Costa Cruises, Star Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL), SeaDream and Viking River Cruising. The company has also been appointed Regional Representative for Australia's Orion Expedition Cruises. In addition, the agency has been selected as the sole operator to fulfil all of Travelocity's cruise business in Hong Kong.
Founder and appointed General Manager of ecruising Asia Pacific Limited, Mr Brett Dudley said, "ecruising chose Hong Kong to set up our regional headquarters mainly due to the level of government support and the city's simple tax structure, central location in the region and the ease of doing business."
ecruising will make good use of its proven business model, cruise line relationships and technologies to capture the cruise market in Hong Kong and to continue its leadership in the online cruise travel industry. "With the large number of expatriates here plus increasing demand for new travel experience from the local population, ecruising is confident that the Hong Kong venture will be a huge success." Mr Dudley added.
Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Mr Mark Michelson, welcomed the company's presence here in Hong Kong. He said, "We are very pleased that ecruising has come to Hong Kong, especially since tourism is one of the pillar industries of our city. Your company joins some 3,900 international companies doing business in Asia Pacific that have established regional operations in Hong Kong. ecruising's decision to establish its regional headquarters here signifies a vote of confidence in our city's business environment and future economic development."
In 2007, the consumption expenditure of overnight and same-day in-town visitors amounted to over HK$87 billion and HK$13 billion respectively. This suggests that Hong Kong is not only a popular tourist destination, but also an ideal transitional location for tourists around the world.
Globally, the capacity of cruise ships is forecast to double in the next three years. Locally, the proposal to build a new cruise terminal on the site of the former airport at Kai Tak is moving forward.
"These factors would be positive to the development of cruise business in Hong Kong. It is logical that cruise lines would expand their ship capacity into the city. Many cruise lines have already set up offices in Hong Kong and based their ships here. ecruising is optimistic about our business expansion in this renowned city – 'Pearl of the East'." Mr Dudley concluded.
ecruising Asia Pacific Limited is a travel company specialising in the sale of cruise holidays around the world. Established in Sydney, Australia, in 2000, ecruising has grown to become Australia's premier cruise only travel agency and now open in Hong Kong. For more information, please visit www.ecruising.travel/hk.
InvestHK is the award-winning department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government responsible for attracting and facilitating inward investment into the city, by providing free services and support to help overseas and Mainland companies establish or expand their business presence in Hong Kong. For more information, please visit www.InvestHK.gov.hk.
Ends/Monday, November 3, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:00
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