Global Tourism Business Association (GTBA) president Michelle Taylan joined the biggest names in cruising and the top tourism leaders during Cruise World Asia 2024 at the Pan Pacific in Singapore.
The annual cruise conference, organized by Travel Weekly Asia, brought together the top minds and movers in travel and cruising. GTBA, the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS), the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), the Association of Indonesia Travel Agents (ASTINDO), the Philippine Travel & Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), and the Thai Cruises Business Association (TCBA) supported the event.
For Taylan, who has been invited to be a panel resource speaker at the event for a second time, the cruise industry has seen incredible growth. “Before we hear ‘cruise,’ what comes to mind are retirees and those in their sunset years. But now, the demand for cruising can be seen across a more diverse demographic—and that’s very exciting because it offers a new avenue for travelers to explore the world,” Taylan said.
Taylan and her fellow travel association heads also highlighted the role that travel trade fairs and organizations play in promoting and marketing cruises. “We can’t argue that cruise is traditionally a niche offer, that’s why it’s essential to have these travel fairs where we can better inform people about what they can get,” Taylan said. “With cruising, there’s as much importance to hospitality as travel. It’s a whole other experience that we want our clients to get.”
As for opportunities for the sector, Taylan said there is a lot of room for tapping local tour providers as there is growing demand for more experiential travel. “The Philippines is a great example of this because we have such a diverse set of cultures. When you go to one province, they have this delicacy. When you go to another, they have rich textiles. So, imagine having to experience so much in just one go—this is what cruise offers us,” Taylan said.
