Costa Cruises Signs With SIPG For New Joint Venture

Italian cruise line Costa Cruises has formally signed an agreement with Shanghai International Port (Group) Company Limited for a new joint venture in China.

Pier Luigi Foschi, chairman and chief executive officer of Costa Cruises, and Lu Haihu, chairman of board of SIPG, attended the signing ceremony.

The new joint venture is to offer a full range of consultative services on Costa Cruises' cruise vacation products in China and in the world for Chinese travel agencies and customers. According to the agreement, this new company's operation scopes include consultations on business, cruise travel information, and real-time information on cabins.

In April 2009, Costa Cruises will launch the second luxury cruise Costa Classica in the Chinese market, offering more options for Chinese tourists. Meanwhile, the company plans to increase the number of its fixed voyages in China to 36, with 23 destined to Shanghai as home ports.