Incheon Port Authority (IPA) announced on July 10 that it had discussed the operation of a 'double home port' cruise route connecting Incheon Port and Keelung, Taiwan, with the Taiwan International Cruise Association.
A double home port refers to a cruise route where two ports serve simultaneously as departure and arrival ports. Passengers can board or disembark at either of the two ports.
On this day, IPA participated in the Jeju International Cruise Forum held at the Jeju International Convention Center, where it promoted the advantages of Incheon Port as a home port (a port where passengers board as their point of departure) to the Taiwanese side and proposed the establishment of the Incheon-Keelung route.
IPA promoted that "Incheon Port is located just 30 minutes by car from Incheon Airport, making it the optimal location for 'fly & cruise,' which combines air travel and cruises."
IPA further explained, "If a double home port route is established, tourists can enter Korea via Incheon Airport, enjoy sightseeing, and then travel to Taiwan by cruise from Incheon Port." The agency also stated, "Conversely, tourists can enter Taiwan via a Taiwanese airport, travel around the area, and then use a cruise to come to Incheon."
Kim Sanggi, Vice President of Operations at IPA, stated, "In the past, Incheon Port mainly served as a port of call, but this year, half of the 32 total cruise calls are being operated as home port departures, which demonstrates our strengths." He added, "We will continue our efforts to attract home port routes that generate high economic impact."
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