Costa Cruises sets Sanya as home port for new routes

Costa neoRomantica, owned by Costa Cruises, is scheduled to start seasonal operations from January to March in 2020, using Sanya as its home port to destinations like the Philippines and Vietnam. [Photo/chinanews.com]

Costa neoRomantica, owned by Costa Cruises, will be put into seasonal operation from January to March in 2020, using Sanya as its home port to destinations like the Philippines and Vietnam, according to announcement made at a press conference held on Nov 4.

Costa neoRomantica, which is famous for its dexterity and delicacy, has a total tonnage of 56,800 metric tons and a passenger capacity reaching 1,800.

As a famous tourism destination, Hainan is the first province in China to introduce cruise tourism. Benefiting from its abundant tourism resources and unique geographic location, Hainan has devoted great efforts in developing cruise industry and promoting the construction of cruise home port. The cruise industry has become one of the emerging industries in Hainan with local characteristics, growth potential, and global competitiveness.

"Costa Cruises has been attaching great importance to the strategic position of the South China market," said Bernie Ye, vice president of sales and business of Costa Cruises in Greater China and Southeast Asia.

Ye said that he hopes Costa Cruises can work together with the Hainan provincial government and the Sanya municipal government to promote the development and prosperity of Hainan's cruise industry.

"Sanya will make full use of these shipping routes to expand the international market, and strives to turn cruise tourism into a shining brand for Hainan and Sanya," said Chen Tiejun, executive vice mayor of Sanya.