On January 29th, the Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, in collaboration with the Xiamen Port Management Bureau, jointly held a special sea tourism promotion event titled “Poetic Xiamen, Love on the Sea.” During the event, it was announced that the cruise ship “Mediterranean,” owned by China’s leading cruise company, Aida Cruises, will commence its Xiamen homeport route from March. The event also showcased high-quality sea tourism products for 2024.
As an integral part of Xiamen’s maritime tourism, cruise tourism has always been a key element in showcasing the city’s integration, presenting a modern and international image. The “Mediterranean” cruise ship, referred to as the “ship of art,” will set sail from Xiamen as its homeport for the first time from March to May this year, offering 15 voyages to Japan.
Additionally, three international cruise ships with global routes are scheduled to visit Xiamen this year. Furthermore, vessels such as the “Zhao Shang Eaton,” “Song of Dreams,” and “Brilliance of the Seas” plan to come to Xiamen in the second half of the year, injecting strong momentum into the development of Xiamen as a world-class cruise homeport and the comprehensive growth of the Xiamen cruise industry chain.
During the promotion event, maritime tourism in the bay area was also highlighted, inviting visitors to “Come to Xiamen for a Sea Journey.” Based on the concept of “one route, one theme,” Xiamen’s maritime tourism has formed two major product matrices: “Classic Routes” and “Themed Routes.” In addition to traditional night cruises on the Lujiang River and voyages to observe Jinmen Island, the city has introduced the “Yujian” series of maritime tourism theme products that integrate scenic beauty, gastronomy, and culture. Creative initiatives such as “Opening the Maritime Blind Box” and “Watching Fireworks at Sea” aim to attract numerous domestic and international tourists.
It is reported that Xiamen will further optimize cultural tourism offerings by developing core cultural waterfront projects, upgrading sea tourism product services, and integrating digital marketing creatively. The goal is to craft a narrative of Xiamen as a maritime destination, solidify core competitiveness, and contribute to the flourishing of the city’s cultural and tourism industry, facing the sea with the arrival of spring.
