Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific talks to Buhdy Bok, Vice President Pacific Asia & China, Costa Crociere S.p.A

NEW YORK, June 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Cruise Shipping Asia -Pacific -- conference and trade show focusing on the emerging Asian-Pacific cruise industry -- interviews Buhdy Bok, Vice President Pacific Asia & China, Costa Crociere S.p.A. Mr. Bok will be speaking at Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific at the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore from September 17-18, 2012.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120619/NY25471)

What should be common goals within the marketplace?

BB: In Asia, I believe that the cruise market, despite registering strong growth, is still relatively under-penetrated. Therefore, the goal of cruise liners is still to actively promote the benefits of a cruise holiday.  On top of marketing efforts, which every cruise brand is doing, cruise operators should work hand in hand to provide attractive itineraries, through port and destination development, to bring out the uniqueness of a cruising vacation.  This will in turn provide for an attractive product and generate economically sustainable growth for the cruise economy with scale and synergies.

What is going to have the biggest impact on the marketplace in the next five years?

BB:  Asia is on the rapid growth cycle in cruise market development. With more cruise brands bringing their attractive wares to this region, Asia is going to have the biggest impact in the next five years.

What are you doing to meet the changing needs in your marketplace?

BB: Costa Cruises differentiates itself with its "Italy at Sea" theme that rides on our Made in Italy DNA to present to the Asia market a uniquely European experience.  In May 2012, we launched the Costa Victoria in Shanghai. During this summer season, Costa Victoria will deliver our "Fashion cruise" concept that will feature our luxury brand boutiques, bringing refined tastes and Italian style onboard. While taking the 'Italy at Sea' theme to heart, Costa Victoria also has many concurrent Asian elements to immediately put its Guests at ease.

The Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific Conference and Exhibition
Buhdy Bok, Vice President Pacific Asia & China, Costa Crociere S.p.A.,will be speaking on topics such as these at Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific conference at the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore from September 17-18, 2012. The conference will highlight the expanding infrastructure within the entire Asia-Pacific region. Plenary sessions will begin with a state of the industry discussion and be complemented by discussions on new build, refurbishment and refitting, destination planning and development and reaching the burgeoning Asian customer market. In-depth discussion on customer experience, travel agent engagement, government involvement and ports and development will be featured in the masterclasses.

Other world-renowned cruise experts speaking at Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific include: Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia,Gianni Onorato, President, Costa Crociere, Roberto Giorgi, President, V.Ships, and Rama Rebbapregada, Associate Vice President, International Charters, Consumer Outreach & Business Development, Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited and Chairman of the Asia Cruise Association speaking on the key drivers for industry growth.

About Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific

Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific is an annual event organized by UBM Live organizer of cruise and maritime events including: Cruise Shipping Miami, Marintec China, Naval Shore and Sea Japan.  Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific is supported by Asia Cruise Association, Florida –Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), International Cruise Council Australia (ICCA) and has the exclusive support of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) the global organization for the cruise industry.

To view all of the sessions please visit the website www.cruiseshippingevents.com/asia-conference.

To register for Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific, please visit www.cruiseshippingevents.com/asia-register-now.

For exhibiting information contact: [email protected]

Media Contact: Allison Dowd, Cruise Shipping Portfolio Brand Marketing Manager, 609-759-4702, [email protected], or Caitlin Read, Cruise Shipping Portfolio PR Manager, 609-759-4735 [email protected].

About Cruise Shipping

The Cruise Shipping Portfolio organized by UBM Live includes Cruise Shipping Miami, Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific, Seatrade Med and an array of digital products including webinars and Cruise Shipping Virtual online tradeshows. Since 1985 Cruise Shipping Miami has been the world's premier annual event for the global cruise industry, featuring a three-day exhibition and four-day conference that draw more than 11,000 attendees and over 900 exhibiting companies from 120 countries. Focused on the emerging Asia-Pacific region, Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific's tradeshow, conference and social program are the gateway to tomorrow's marketplace. Seatrade Med's exhibition, conference, travel agent training and social events constitute the Mediterranean region's largest cruise gathering. Using cutting-edge technology, Cruise Shipping Virtual's online events include educational and networking virtual tradeshows and webinars accessible via computer.

About UBM Live

UBM Live connects people and creates opportunities for companies across five continents to develop new business, meet customers, launch new products, promote their brands and expand their markets.   Through premiere brands such as MD&M, CPhI, IFSEC, TFM&A, Cruise Shipping Miami, the Concrete Show and many others, UBM Live exhibitions, conferences, awards programs, publications, websites and training and certification programs are an integral part of the marketing plans of companies across more than 20 industry sectors.

About UBM Asia

Owned by UBM plc listed on the London Stock Exchange, UBM Asia operates in 18 market sectors with headquarters in Hong Kong and subsidiary companies across Asia, including UBM China in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou and Beijing. We have over 200 products including trade fairs, conferences, trade publications, B2B/B2C portals and virtual event services. As Asia's leading exhibition organizer and the biggest commercial organizer in the two fastest growing markets in Asia: China and India, we stage the leading events of their kind across Asia. Our 150 events, 24 publications and 18 vertical portals serve a 1,000,000 plus quality exhibitors, visitors, conference delegates, advertisers and subscribers from all over the world with high value face-to-face business-matching events, quality and instant news on market and industry trends and round-the-clock online trading networks and sourcing platforms. We have 1,000 staff in 21 major cities across Asia, stretching from Japan to Turkey.

SOURCE Cruise Shipping