[Interview] "'Cruises for Middle-Aged Travelers' Is a Misconception... MZ Generation Friendship Trips Welcome"

Interview with Woo Junsang, CEO of Cruise International
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"Cruise travel is a 'value-for-money trip' that includes airfare, hotel, meals, and entertainment all in one package."

Woo Junsang, CEO of Cruise International, stated this in a recent interview with Asia Economy, emphasizing, "The belief that cruises are expensive and can only be enjoyed by wealthy middle-aged and older travelers is the biggest misconception holding back the cruise market."

Woo Junsang, CEO of Cruise International.

Cruise International is a travel agency specializing in cruises, established in May 2000. After being incorporated into Modetour in 2010, it has been led by CEO Woo Junsang, the second son of Modetour Chairman Woo Jongwoong. Cruise International holds exclusive sales rights in Korea for overseas cruise lines and sells related products to both domestic and international consumers. The company has contracts with major cruise lines such as Regent Seven Seas, Oceania, Crystal, Silversea, Princess, Costa, Royal Caribbean, and MSC, offering a portfolio that covers both luxury and large-scale mainstream cruises.

Recently, the number of tourists visiting Korea has increased dramatically. As of last year, a total of 414 cruise ships docked in Korea, bringing 810,000 visitors. Compared to 273,000 visitors and 203 ships in 2023, both the number of tourists and cruise ships have increased by threefold and twofold, respectively. This year, it is estimated that a total of 560 ships and 1.09 million tourists will visit Korea.

However, the number of Koreans boarding cruises remains low. The age group of cruise users is also concentrated among middle-aged and older travelers. According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) report last year, the number of Korean cruise tourists in 2023 was about 46,300. This represents a 700% increase from 5,800 during the COVID-19 period in 2022, but it still falls short of the 2019 figure of 48,700. In terms of age distribution, those in their 70s and above accounted for 20%, while those aged 50 and above made up two-thirds of all users.

CEO Woo explained, "To attract customers in their 20s to 40s, we are conducting marketing campaigns targeting the MZ generation with concepts such as 'digital detox' and 'friendship trips.' We are also introducing short-haul routes to destinations like Korea and Japan to lower the entry barriers."

In fact, this December, the 'Disney Cruise' is set to embark on its maiden voyage from Singapore, targeting younger travelers and families with children. Since April last year, Cruise International has also been selling the newly launched 'PanStar Miracle Cruise' on the Busan-Osaka route. This itinerary involves taking a cruise from Busan to Osaka, staying overnight in Osaka, and then returning to Busan by cruise ship.

The most popular cruise products are the Mediterranean and Alaska routes. The Mediterranean is best experienced from May to September, while Alaska is ideal from June to September. The Mediterranean attracts consumers interested in exploring historical sites and gourmet experiences in destinations such as Italy (Rome), Greece (Athens), and Spain (Barcelona). Alaska appeals to travelers who want to view glaciers, majestic natural scenery, and unique nocturnal ecosystems from the ship without disembarking.

Interest in ultra-luxury cruises such as Regent, Oceania, and Silversea is also rising. Luxury cruises are equipped with facilities comparable to five-star hotels. Among them, Regent Cruises offers an 'all-inclusive' experience, allowing guests to enjoy wine and spirits, gratuities, Wi-Fi, Michelin-level dining, art performances, and luxury suite accommodations without additional charges.

Cruise International aims to increase its sales by more than 50% this year. Last year, the company recorded sales of 1.1 billion won. In the business-to-business (B2B) sector, it plans to offer chartered cruises, corporate training, and special packages. In the business-to-consumer (B2C) sector, it will focus on strengthening its luxury cruise product lineup and expanding awareness of cruise travel. CEO Woo explained, "With cruises, travelers can enjoy rare destinations that are difficult to access by air, such as Antarctica and around South America. We will strive to show that cruise travel is not an exclusive privilege for a select few, but a special journey that anyone can enjoy."