Interview｜President of Genting: Hiring more flight attendants for air travel on high seas, the number of people will be relaxed to 75% before the end of the year

Since the beginning of last year, the new crown epidemic has raged all over the world. After many days, we still heard two key words, business difficulties and unemployment.

So, what changes does the cruise ship suspension bring to the company's business model for about one and a half years?

According to Zhu Fuming, President of Genting Group, although revenues have decreased due to the epidemic, since the capacity of cruise ships has been halved, there is no need for long voyages, and wages, fuel, and food costs have also been reduced accordingly.

However, on the other hand, the aviation industry is still in an "freeze period," and many aviation employees have been fired.

Zhu revealed that due to the similar nature of work, cruise companies have always hired aviation industry practitioners to become part-time or long-term employees.

With the easing of the epidemic, the cruise company has once again ushered in a turnaround after being approved for high seas cruises. He estimated that the Hong Kong government will approve the upper limit of the number of people on board to 75% before Christmas this year.

Zhu Fuming, president of Genting Group, estimates that the Hong Kong government will approve the upper limit of the number of people on board the ship to 75% before Christmas this year.

(Photo by Zhang Haowei)

Reduced fuel, wages, and food costs under the epidemic

It has been almost two years since the outbreak of the new crown epidemic. The tourism industry has only recently experienced a turnaround. Local tours, Flycation, and high sea cruises have been approved for launch.

With Hong Kong as one of its development bases, the Genting Group's "Genting Dream" also sailed smoothly on July 30 this year.

Zhu Fuming said frankly that although the income is indeed a little lower than before the epidemic, the cost and expenditure have also been relatively reduced.

Zhu revealed that the cost reduction is mainly due to three factors, including wages, fuel, and food costs.

He explained that under the circumstance that the Hong Kong government has halved the maximum number of people, it can only carry about 1,600 passengers; the number of employees on board has also been adjusted from about 1,900 to about 1,300, and the disguised wages and food costs have also been reduced accordingly.

Restricted by the anti-epidemic measures of various countries, the company introduced high seas without having to cross the sea and without destinations. In addition, the reduced speed has reduced fuel consumption.

"On the whole, because there are fewer customers by half, the cost will be much less. But, is it more profitable than before? It definitely won't, and the profit will definitely be affected."

+5

However, Zhu believes that in the long run, cruises are definitely the most popular way of travel, because the growth rate of the cruise industry has been much higher than other travel methods in the past few years.

He pointed out that the penetration rate of cruise ships in Asia is low. The mainland and Hong Kong have less than 1 person per 100 people. They have participated in cruise cruises, which is lower than the 3 to 5 people in Europe and the United States. "It proves that its potential is very large, especially in Asia. It will be very, very fast."

"Every week, new airline employees join us."

Just as the cruise liner is welcoming a turnaround, on the other hand, the aviation industry is still in an "ice-free period," and many aviation employees have been fired.

Zhu revealed that, in fact, cruise companies have been hiring employees from the aviation industry, especially those working in the terminal department, as part-time or long-term employees.

Zhu said that these employees have received comprehensive training at the airline, so there is no need to spend time training, only the theory and knowledge related to cruise ships.

He also revealed that although the proportion is not high, dozens of employees in the aviation industry have already switched to Genting Cruises.

"We have always welcomed employees from the aviation industry, and new airline employees join us almost every week."

+3

Call for negative test certificate from 48 hours to 72 hours

In the post-new crown era, under the new international normal, the cruise industry is gradually getting back on track.

Zhu believes that we should take precautions and suggest that the government not only promote Hong Kong tourism to local citizens, but also to surrounding cities, so that after the epidemic is over, tourists from Asia, such as Japan and Australia, will come to Hong Kong for cruise cruises.

As for the short-term aspect, Zhu hopes that the Hong Kong government can relax the epidemic prevention measures. For example, the negative test certificate required for passengers before boarding, which is the same as the requirement of the aircraft, will be changed from 48 hours to 72 hours, so as to increase the flexibility of passengers and gradually upgrade cruise ships. The maximum number of people.

Zhu also revealed that the Hong Kong government is satisfied with its operations in the past two months and will board the ship again in the near future to inspect the epidemic prevention equipment. It is estimated that before Christmas this year, the maximum number of people will be allowed to increase to 75%.

"There is no Surprise, no Case, so the government is very confident in us. We hope that this approval will be given to us as soon as the end of October."

+2

Cruise on the high seas｜Passengers arrived 8 hours earlier: the doctor told me not to get the injections, they all hit Hang Seng Bank to send 3.2 million yuan in bonus to the Hong Kong team’s table tennis women’s team. Passing three levels of needle card detection information is indispensable. Most social distancing measures remain unchanged. Cruise high seas cruises are resumed, and "event venues" are introduced. Refund

01News