The recently-released Qingdao Cruise Industry Development Plan (2025-2035) proposes to establish a modern cruise economic system that integrates culture, tourism, commerce and industry, and build a cruise industry development center that will play a leading role across the Bohai Sea and extend its influence to Northeast Asia as well as a core node for cruise industry cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Based on Qingdao’s geographic position, resources and industrial strength and upholding the four principles, namely, “integrated development, market-oriented philosophy, green and low-carbon practice, openness and coordination”, the Plan has put forward the following goals in different phases. By 2028, Qingdao will annually receive more than 50 cruise ships, see more than 200,000 inbound and outbound tourists, and boast one to two local cruise operation companies. By 2035, Qingdao will annually welcome more than 200 cruise ships, witness more than 1 million inbound and outbound tourists, become appealing enough for internationally renowned players in the cruise industry to locate global or regional headquarters, and pool worldwide consumer resources. Through the improvement of home port infrastructure, the extension of industrial chains and the innovation in product development, Qingdao is on course to build a RMB100 bln industrial cluster that covers cruise ship operation, ship repairing and building, material supply services, and cultural and tourism consumption.  (Yang Guang)

Two cruise ships can berth simultaneously at the international cruise home port.