Asia is the world’s largest and fastest growing outbound market, in particular Chinese outbound tourists. About a billion people in Asia will reach middle-class status by 2030 and they have the disposable income to travel and cruise, Genting Hong Kong, the listed cruise shipping and hotels griup, said in a statement.

“In addition to boarding from nearby homeports, Asians who are traveling to other regions such as Australia/New Zealand, Europe and the Americas will increasingly consider cruising as the more comfortable and convenient alternative to a land vacation,” the company said.

As compared with other nations such as the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Italy who have multiple global cruise brands, Genting Hong Kong’s premium market Dream Cruises band’s mission is to become “Asia’s Global Cruise Line”, offering not only cruises in Asia but in other global regions such as Australia, Europe and the United States. These global itineraries mean advanced bookings and payments as passengers have to book flights to travel to those destinations.