BPA Plans 9th Cruise at Busan Mohang Port... Expected to Boost Local Economy

Four Domestic and International Companies Including Panstar Enterprise and Lotte Tour Operate 1st to 3rd Chartered Flights

Busan Port Authority (BPA) announced on the 29th that cruises using Busan as their home port are scheduled to operate consecutively starting from the 14th of next month, raising expectations for the revitalization of the local economy and marine tourism.

Costa Serena ship docking scene.

According to Busan Port Authority, four domestic and international travel agencies (Panstar Enterprise, Lotte Tour, Lotte JTB, It's The Ship) will charter the Italian-flagged Costa Serena (114,000 tons, passenger capacity 3,780, crew capacity 1,100) exclusively, operating a total of nine cruises with Busan as the home port until September 21.

This year's Busan home port cruise packages are offered in various courses ranging from 3 nights and 4 days to 5 nights and 6 days.

The itineraries include six cruises departing from Busan Port - touring Japan - returning to Busan Port, one cruise departing from Busan Port - touring Taiwan/Japan - returning to Busan Port, one cruise departing from Busan Port - touring Japan - arriving at Incheon Airport, and one cruise departing from Busan Port - touring Hong Kong - arriving at Incheon Airport.

All nine cruises depart from berth No. 14 at Busan Port International Passenger Terminal (Choryang-dong).

Unlike simple port calls where foreign cruises stop briefly at Busan during their voyage, Busan home port cruises involve tourists arriving in Busan beforehand to board the ship and spend time, thereby significantly benefiting the local economy through shopping, tourism, accommodation, and ship supplies industries.

Tourists using the Busan home port cruises can conveniently travel from Busan Station to Busan Port International Passenger Terminal within 10 minutes by using the Sky Walk constructed by BPA.

Before boarding, passengers can also enjoy the North Port Waterfront Park or the marina during their free time.

Inquiries and purchases for Busan home port cruise packages can be made through the websites of Panstar Enterprise, Lotte Tour, Lotte JTB, and It's The Ship.

Kang Jun-seok, President of BPA, stated, “We will strive to manage and operate cruise infrastructure efficiently and promote global cruise line marketing so that more cruises can operate with Busan Port as their home port, contributing to the activation of related industries and the local economy.”