HNA Group has launched mainland China’s first cruise ship and yacht management company.
HNA Tourism Cruise & Yacht Management was launched at the HNA Marriot Hotel in Beijing this week, while the company also unveiled its first luxury cruise ship, named ‘Henna’.
With a capacity of 1,965 passengers and a range of onboard entertainment, Henna will welcome passengers for the first time on 26 January 2013, cruising from Sanya to Halong Bay and Danang in Vietnam. The company will also operate the ‘Island Construction I’ – a luxury mega-yacht.
“The cruise industry has great potential while the market is anticipated to be quite large. It is just starting out but is developing at a rapid speed in mainland China, including ancillary facilities and port construction,” said Zhang Hao, president of HNA Tourism Cruise & Yacht Management.
In 2011, mainland China received 262 international cruise ships, an increase of 17.5% year-on-year. These ships brought more than 504,500 visitors to China.
The cruise operation is the latest addition to HNA Group’s travel and tourism portfolio, which also includes Hainan Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Deer Jet, HNA Hotels & Resorts, Grand China Express International Travel and Grand China MICE.