After a time of decrease, the number of cruise ships to Nha Trang as well as the figure of passengers ashore has risen again...
After a time of decrease, the number of cruise ships to Nha Trang as well as the figure of passengers ashore has risen again.
Only in first days of the Lunar New Year, eight 5-star cruise ships carrying thousands of passengers and crew have arrived in Nha Trang. The first arriver on the first day of the new year was Volendam from Holland carrying 2,000 passengers and crew, 600 of whom took tours around Nha Trang City and countryside tours. They visited spot destinations in Nha Trang like Nha Trang Cathedral, Long Son Pagoda, Chong Rock, etc. The cruise tourists also visited trade villages such as pottery making and mat weaving.
The ship captain Frank Van Der Hoeven said that, this was the second time Volendam had came to Nha Trang. As planned, the ship will return Nha Trang in March. Nha Trang is a favorite destination of the cruise ship; therefore, Volendam frequently calls at the city, he added.
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| Volendam put passenger ashore in Nha Trang. |
According to the provincial Tourism Development Steering Board, cruise tourist market to Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa recovered in 2015. 48 ships called at Nha Trang in 2015, 13 ones more than the figure in 2014. The number of passengers ashore in Nha Trang was 47,000, rising by 16,300 over 2014. In 2016, 37 ships have registered to call at Nha Trang now. The prosperity has been contributed much by tourist businesses. In 2015, Saigontourist welcomed 5 cruise ships with totally 12,800 passengers and crew to Nha Trang. Most of the passengers are from the US, Canada, UK, France, Australia, etc. On the occasion of welcoming the most high-class ship Quantum, Saigontourist also organized a meeting with leaders of provinces which have big sea ports like Thua Thien Hue, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang…to forward serving cruise tourists. Recently, one new feature is the appearance of cruise ships carrying tourists from China to Nha Trang.
“Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa tourism is developing sustainably and responsibly. As a result, Nha Trang has become a highlight destination on cruise tourism map in Vietnam. Tourism makers in Nha Trang also has good ways to attract this market”, Nguyen Van Thanh, Permanent Vice-chairman of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa Tourism Association explained about the return of cruise tourists to Nha Trang.
The rise of cruise tourist market is expected to partly step up the growth of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa tourism in the time to come.
Nhan Tam
Translated by T.T
