Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2017-02-11

The Taiwan International Ports Corporation is projecting a 30% increase in cruise traffic through Taiwanese ports during 2017.

The state-owned ports management company says that around 600 cruises carrying a million passengers will likely pass through Taiwan before the end of the year.

The company announced its projection during a regularly scheduled press conference Friday. It cited a report by industry group Cruise Lines International Association that called Taiwan Asia’s second-largest cruise market and forecast growth in Asia during 2017.

Some cruise operators have already begun expanding their services from Taiwan. Star Cruises has announced that it will begin operating its services from Keelung to Okinawa and Ishigaki Island in Japan year-round. The Princess and Costa cruise lines are also starting to use Keelung as a home port this year.    [SOURCE]