Hwajing Travel & Tours has signed a strategic partnership with China’s Astro Ocean Cruise to homeport the M/V Piano Land in Malaysia, marking a major step in positioning the country as a regional cruise hub.
The recent signing ceremony, held at the Penang Port Commission, was attended by the Penang Port Commission and the deputy chairman of Tourism Malaysia Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin. The agreement was signed between Hwajing Travel managing director Kenny Cheong and Astro Ocean Cruise vice president Jian-feng Tong.
Hwajing’s second international partnership
This is Hwajing’s second international cruise partnership after Costa Serena. Starting November 30, the M/V Piano Land will offer regular 3- and 4-night itineraries from Penang and Port Klang, including a special 6-night New Year cruise to Singapore, Vietnam, and Hong Kong.
The move is expected to boost tourism, local employment, and Malaysia’s visibility on the global cruise map.
“In line with Transport Minister Anthony Loke’s vision to position Malaysia as a premier homeport destination, we are committed to driving the nation’s cruise tourism agenda forward,” said Yeoh.
“By encouraging travellers to begin and conclude their cruise itineraries in Malaysia, we aim to boost tourist arrivals, create local employment opportunities, and showcase Malaysia’s vibrant culture, heritage, and cuisine on the global stage.
“With the right strategy, cruise tourism holds tremendous potential to deliver sustained economic benefits and uplift communities across the country,” he said.
In signing the partnership, Cheong said welcoming M/V Piano Land to Malaysia reinforces Hwajing Travel’s commitment to making cruise holidays more accessible and enriching for both Malaysian and Southeast Asian travellers.
“This milestone comes at a special time for us, as Hwajing celebrates its 36th anniversary this year. We look forward to playing a key role in developing Malaysia into a thriving homeport hub for international cruises,” he said.
The deployment of M/V Piano Land marks a major step in the company’s Asian expansion. Tong believes their unique “culture and cruise” model will boost cruise travel demand in Malaysia and nearby markets.
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