- Participation in Seatrade Cruise Global, conducting focused marketing for cruise lines and travel agencies -

Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that it has begun a full-scale push into the global cruise market, leveraging rapidly growing demand and signaling the dawn of the so-called “era of 130 cruise calls.”

The city participated in Seatrade Cruise Global 2026, the world’s largest cruise industry exhibition, held in Miami, USA, from April 13 to 16, where city officials conducted targeted marketing activities to attract global cruise lines and travel agencies.

Seatrade Cruise Global, launched in 1985, is the largest cruise industry exhibition in the world, serving as a leading business platform attended by approximately 10,000 stakeholders, including cruise lines, ports, and destination officials.

At the event, Incheon operated a “Korea Cruise Pavilion” in collaboration with the Korea Tourism Organization and major domestic port-of-call institutions. A total of five Korean ports of call, including Incheon, jointly participated to promote tourism resources and port capacities.

In recent years, Incheon’s cruise market has shown rapid growth. International cruise calls increased from 12 in 2023 to 15 in 2024 and further to 32 in 2025. In 2026, the number is expected to surge to 130 calls—more than four times the previous year.

In line with this trend, the City actively promoted “Fly & Cruise” packages linked with Incheon International Airport, along with its achievements in attracting themed cruises. Incheon conducted business consultations with global cruise operators, emphasizing accessibility through integrated air and cruise travel, as well as diverse destination content spanning urban areas, islands, and cultural tourism resources.

The city also participated in a domestic port-of-call roundtable hosted by the Korea Tourism Organization, where Incheon officials shared insights on global cruise market trends and discussed joint marketing strategies based on inter-port cooperation. Through these efforts, the city contributed to strengthening the collective competitiveness of the “K-Cruise” brand beyond individual competition.

Following the exhibition, Incheon plans to implement follow-up strategies to further expand cruise tourism. In collaboration with organizations such as the Incheon Tourism Organization and the Incheon Port Authority, it will develop tourism products linked to local festivals and enhance reception capabilities through initiatives such as farewell events, improved tourist information services, and expanded free shuttle services.

Lee Han-nam, Director of the Incheon Maritime Affairs and Aviation Bureau, remarked, “Seatrade Cruise Global is a major marketing stage that directly connects us to the global cruise industry. We will use this opportunity to further strengthen Incheon’s competitiveness as a port of call and foster cruise tourism as a new growth engine for the regional economy.”