Discussion on the Development Problems and Strategies for Cruise Tourism Based on the Comparison of Supply and Demand

Abstract

Cruising is becoming a more and more popular form of tourism, bringing the increasingly complex demand and expectations of cruise travelers, such as the obvious younger trend, the increasing demand of long-line products and the concerns for the quality of onshore activities. Nevertheless, there is the imbalance between supply and demand, like low price competition under the charter mode, products McDonaldization, business utilitarian, and poor port service constructions. In order to achieve an efficient and fast long-term development of cruise tourism, it’s important to explore a more harmonious cruise “supplier-seller” cooperation path, focus on products’ features, provide consecutive service for cruise travelers, upgrade the tourism service constructions of ports and promote the formulation and promulgation of cruise tourism regulations and policies.

Keywords: cruise tourism; development problems; strategies; supply and demand; comparison