Genting Cruise Lines has formed a new partnership with China Southern Airlines aimed at developing fly-cruise opportunities in China and positioning Guangzhou as a major cruise hub.

Under the terms of the deal, Genting’s Asian cruise lines, Star Cruises and Dream Cruises, will work with China Southern to create a series of new combined flight and cruise packages, targeting groups and individual travellers, as well as the MICE market.

The companies said this cooperation would cover a range of areas, including product development, sales, marketing and promotions.

“As the first cruise line dedicated to the development of the cruising industry in southern China, Genting Cruise Lines is pioneering this cross-industry strategic collaboration with China Southern Airlines to initiate the full-fledged launch of the fly-cruise concept in China,” said Kent Zhu, president of Genting Cruise Lines. “It is our goal to expand the source market of Guangzhou, propelling the advancement and development of the cruising industry in the country.”

Laijun Luo, director general of China Southern’s commercial steering committee, commented; “This partnership on the promotion of fly-cruise will leverage on our extensive route network of Chinese and Asian destinations, as well as the strategic fleet deployments of Genting Cruise Lines to set an unprecedented quality of fly-cruise travel that allows seamless connections between the air and the sea, as well as driving the economic development of various port cities with massive market potential.”

An initial fly-cruise package created by Genting Cruise Lines and China Southern will be officially launched on 28 June, comprising direct flights to Guangzhou from over 40 cities in China paired with a five-night cruises to Okinawa on Genting Dream.