With life returning to normal as pandemic concerns and controls recede, Port of Hualien is gearing up to give a spirited welcome to its first cruise ship call of the post-pandemic era on March 10th. Port of Hualien has already made all the contacts and preparations necessary to ensure the passengers on Oceania Cruises’ MS Nautica and all future cruise passengers experience a friendly welcome and world-class service during their visit to the port.
The national Central Epidemic Command Center announced on October 24th of last year (2022) the lifting of the national ban on cruise ship calls in place since February 6th, 2020, rekindling hopes for the return of Taiwan’s previously vibrantly growing cruise travel sector. In preparation, Port of Hualien officials attended the 2022 Post-Pandemic Cruise Industry Recovery and Development Forum on September 13th, 2022 and have been actively promoting Hualien’s touristic attractions to cruise ship operators. In addition, TIPC teams visited Singapore, Malaysia, Europe, and Japan to meet cruise ship operators during late autumn 2022 to promote Taiwan as a travel destination and to discuss port dockage & passenger-service fee discounts and other incentives in order to reignite cruise industry interest in Taiwan.
Port of Hualien has helped pave the way for the return of international cruise tourism to the East Coast by ensuring all related agencies and facilities are fully prepared for passenger arrivals and departures and by powering up connections with local government tourism resources. On November 18th, 2022, port officials called on the Hualien County Tourism Department to discuss a variety of topics, including cruise ship visit schedules, tourism ambassadors, tourist taxi services, and cruise ship pier-side welcome ceremonies, to ensure everything is in order to tap cruise passengers into all that the port and surrounding area have to offer.
With regard to currently scheduled Port of Hualien cruise ship calls, 9 have been scheduled for 2023 and 7 are already on the books for 2024, with more expected in the coming months. As part of post-pandemic cruise ship welcome celebrations, the port will regularly provide a traditional fire tugboat water spray welcome, commemorative plaques for maiden visits, and locally colored arrival ceremonies to warmly welcome passengers ashore.
Provided by:Port Business Dept., Port of Hualien, TIPC
Contact Person:Peggy Tsai, Manager
Telephone No.:03-8325131-2421
E-mail Address:peggy627@twport.com.tw
