Northstar

FEATURE | CRUISE Jul-Aug 2017 33 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS • MCMAG-ASIA.COM Activities on board cruise ships provide the muse for delegates to brainstorm and get creative, spurring the demand for MICE groups out at sea. WORDS ESTHER FAITH LEW PHOTOS: ©ISTOCKPHOTO If you run a tight ship, you may want to consider a cruise for your company. It may inspire swashbuckling ideas and bring out a delegate's explorer instincts. Gone are the days when a cruise is about just lounging around or playing deck shueboard. Today's mega ships are the playground for the partygoers, the adventure seekers, the entertainment bus – and the corporates. Activities and attractions – not to mention top-notch F&B – will have you going from zero to hero if you are game for the thrills. Asia is the fastest-growing market for the cruise industry, impressing with a 24 percent increase, according to the 2016 Asia Cruise Trends study released by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Industry players believe that they are only scratching the surface with much upward potential to tap into. The study revealed a huge increase of 43 percent from 2015 to 2016, with more than 1,560 scheduled sailings last year. Asia's big appetite for the open seas drew 60 ocean cruise ships last year, which was eight more than in 2015. The region now oers 204 cruise destinations across 17 countries, with Japan taking the No. 1 spot with 1,526 port calls last year. Typically seen as a leisure travel option, cruising has attracted the eye of corporate planners who found that cruises oer a convenient and cost-eective way for big groups to participate in team-building activities and meetings in an all-in-one venue, and with a changing landscape to enjoy at every port of call. Given the current climate of geopolitical unrest in popular cities, corporate planners are increasingly emphasising risk management strategies in their events and activities. And companies with strict compliance regulations may face diculties in planning events in their desired destinations. It is no surprise then that cruise ships are considered an alternative events venue with their unique appeal. For corporate planners, it is well worth a consideration. For MICE management consultancies, however, it is a trend that could limit their scope in designing event programmes.

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