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How cruise and tourism ports across Southeast Asia can turn growing passenger volumes into lasting economic, social, and environmental value. 

Cruise tourism is surging back. After the pandemic’s disruptions, the global cruise industry rebounded strongly, welcoming approximately 40 million passengers in 2024, with projections suggesting demand could reach 80 million by 2050. For the Asia-Pacific region, this resurgence represents a significant opportunity. Despite its world-class coastal destinations and rapidly growing middle class, the region currently accounts for only 11% of global cruise passengers. Industry practitioners believe this share could grow substantially in the years ahead. 

Growth alone does not guarantee long-term value. How cruise and tourism ports manage rising passenger volumes while protecting communities, ecosystems, and destination quality will determine whether the industry strengthens regional economies or gradually erodes the very destinations on which it depends. 

The fourth webinar in the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Green and Resilient Ports series brought together cruise operators, tourism specialists, and port planners to explore what responsible cruise port development looks like in practice and what lessons Southeast Asia can draw from global experience. 

Rising Pressures, Untapped Potential 

The economic importance of tourism is clear. Globally, the sector contributes over USD 13 trillion to the economy and accounts for over 10% of global gross domestic product (GDP). In ASEAN, the tourism sector generates over 13% of total employment, exceeding the global average and providing accessible opportunities for women, youth, and rural communities. Yet the benefits of tourism depend entirely on how it is managed. As Jesse McComb, Senior Tourism Industry Specialist at ADB, noted during the webinar, poorly managed tourism can place significant pressure on destinations. Waste management systems become overwhelmed, water and energy infrastructure is strained, and fragile coastal and marine environments can be damaged. In extreme cases, overtourism can degrade the cultural and natural assets that attract visitors in the first place. Cruise operations also introduce environmental risks. Ballast water discharge, for example, can spread invasive species, which experts rank among the top global threats to biodiversity. 

Infrastructure gaps further compound the challenge. The Asia-Pacific region currently hosts only 18% of global onshore power supply (OPS) ports, with most concentrated in China. Without shore power, cruise ships must continue running on onboard generators while docked, producing emissions in the very communities where passengers disembark. Closing the infrastructure gap will be essential if the region is to capture cruise tourism’s economic potential while limiting environmental impacts.  

Ports as Enablers: Planning, Operations, and Community 

A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the idea of the port as an enabler. Ports connect cruise operations with community wellbeing, environmental stewardship, and destination quality. Phil Jordan, Director of Sustainability and Delivery at Scenic Group, described how well-designed port facilities allow operators to deliver genuinely sustainable experiences. Access to stable shore power, clean water infrastructure, transparent waste management systems, and appropriate crew facilities all shape how responsibly ships can operate. Scenic Group’s sustainability framework, Cherish the Planet, illustrates how sustainability can be integrated into the river cruise experience itself. Across its river and ocean  fleet, the company has pursued single-use plastic elimination, strengthened sustainable procurement practices, and integrated local communities into shore excursions. On its Mekong vessels, initiatives such as sourcing local ingredients, cultivating on-board herb gardens, and partnering with Cambodian social enterprises embed sustainability directly into the guest experience. Jordan emphasized that sustainability and luxury are not mutually exclusive. Cruise passengers increasingly expect responsible operations and meaningful connections with the destinations they visit.  

Scott Lagueux, Global Director of Waterfront Planning and Design at Moffat & Nicol, emphasized the importance of layered planning in cruise port design. Infrastructure, passenger experience, environmental performance, and community integration must be considered from the outset. Examples from Barcelona, Dubrovnik, and Venice demonstrate what can happen when that balance is missing. Public opposition grows, reputational damage increases, and authorities may impose restrictions that limit future growth. 

From Ambition to Action: Evidence from the Field 

Several examples discussed during the session demonstrated how sustainable port development can generate measurable economic and community benefits.  

Research conducted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Fiji found that approximately half of surveyed cruise passengers said they would have spent more money if high-quality products and experiences had been available at their port of call. Passenger spending also increased with time spent ashore. Visitors who remained in port for more than four hours recorded significantly higher expenditures. Improving the quality of the destination experience can therefore increase the economic return from each vessel visit. 

In St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, Moffat & Nicol is helping design a new cruise facility intended to serve both visitors and residents. The goal is to create infrastructure that functions as a genuine community asset and remains usable by residents when cruise ships are not in port. Lagueux described how engagement with both local communities and cruise stakeholders helped shape a design that balances visitor experience with community benefit. 

Operational initiatives can also deliver wider social impact. Scenic Group’s clean water filtration program, developed in partnership with the Vena Capital Foundation, provides drinking water systems to remote riverine communities across Southeast Asia. Originally introduced to reduce plastic waste from bottled water, the program now supports schools and local communities while educating both residents and cruise guests about water access and environmental stewardship.  

What This Means for Southeast Asia 

Southeast Asia stands at an important moment for its cruise tourism sector. The region’s natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and expanding middle class position it well to attract a larger share of global cruise itineraries. Capturing that opportunity sustainably will require coordinated action across several fronts, including investing in port infrastructure, improving environmental practices and standards, developing local tourism products, and enhancing coordination among destinations in the region. 

As Jesse McComb explained, ADB is supporting member governments in navigating this complexity. This includes designing port investments that strengthen infrastructure, supporting workforce development and small business participation, and helping governments coordinate tourism strategies across sectors. Priority areas include expanding OPS infrastructure, developing home porting capabilities, and supporting destination offerings so that cruise arrivals translate into genuine local economic benefits. 

The ports and destinations best placed to lead will be those that act early by investing in infrastructure, engaging communities, improving environmental performance, and building the trust that underpins a durable social license to operate. Southeast Asia’s coastal destinations derive their appeal from clean coastlines, healthy marine ecosystems, and distinctive local cultures. Protecting these qualities will help ensure that tourism growth continues to support local livelihoods while preserving the places visitors come to experience.