Lotte Tourism Development Secures Charter Cruise Contract With Costa, Reviving Iconic Routes And Strengthening Public-private Partnerships

Published on September 15, 2025

Lotte Tourism Development has announced a caller business pinch Costa Cruises, marking a important milestone successful nan cruise tourism industry. In a statement signed connected nan 11th of September 2025, nan South Korean institution secured 2 charter cruise contracts for May adjacent year, aimed astatine rejuvenating nan country’s cruise offerings. This move besides highlights nan increasing inclination of public-private partnerships successful nan tourism sector. The first of nan 2 cruises will connection a celebrated Hokkaido route, visiting nan Japanese cities of Otaru (Sapporo) and Hakodate, while nan 2nd cruise will revive a way that connects Shanghai, Sasebo, and different ports successful Korea, China, and Japan—returning for nan first clip since 2019.

The announcement was made during a signing ceremonial aboard Costa Cruises’ flagship ship, nan Costa Serena. This business signifies Lotte Tourism Development’s beardown committedness to expanding its cruise offerings, and nan full task is poised to supply a caller entreaty for world and home tourists.

Lotte’s Strategic Cruise Expansion

Lotte Tourism Development has been a cardinal subordinate successful South Korea’s cruise tourism assemblage since 2010, erstwhile it first collaborated pinch Costa Cruises. However, this caller charter statement marks nan first clip successful complete a decade that nan institution has renewed its business pinch Costa. The Costa Serena, which will acquisition a complete renewal starting successful November 2025, is expected to connection a state-of-the-art acquisition for passengers. The vessel, 1 of nan largest ever to depart from Korea, boasts a magnitude of 290 meters, exceeding nan tallness of nan 63rd building by 40 meters.

The vessel features 4 expansive swimming pools and a theatre tin of accommodating up to 1,400 passengers. These upgrades and its luxurious accommodation are expected to pull much cruise enthusiasts from Korea and abroad.

The Costa Serena: A New Look for an Iconic Vessel

The upcoming renewal of nan Costa Serena will respire caller life into nan ship, which has been a cornerstone of Costa Cruises’ fleet for years. Upon completion, nan vessel will characteristic a sleek, modern design, incorporating precocious exertion and luxurious amenities to meet nan expectations of today’s travelers.

The renewed vessel will besides see improved rider accommodations, expanded eating options, and an enhanced intermezo program. By enhancing its existent offerings, Lotte Tourism Development hopes to summation nan entreaty of cruises from Korea to world travelers, particularly successful nan aftermath of nan disruptions caused by nan COVID-19 pandemic.

Reviving Key Routes for Tourists

The 2 chartered cruise routes that are group to sail, committedness to connection thing for each type of traveler. The first way will caput to Hokkaido, Japan, a region renowned for its earthy beauty and rich | taste experiences. Passengers will person nan chance to research Otaru and Hakodate, 2 beloved destinations successful nan northernmost region of Japan. Both cities connection an absorbing blend of history, culture, and scenic views.

The 2nd way will bring passengers connected an breathtaking travel done nan waters of East Asia. Sailing from Sokcho Port successful South Korea, nan cruise will sojourn Shanghai, Sasebo, and different awesome ports successful China and Japan. This itinerary revives a celebrated way that has been dormant for 7 years, offering passengers a chance to reconnect pinch these bustling metropolitan areas.

This revitalization of cruise offerings comes astatine a clip erstwhile nan world tourism manufacture is showing signs of recovery, peculiarly wrong nan cruise sector, which has knowledgeable important challenges during nan pandemic.

Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships

In summation to nan cruise statement pinch Costa, Lotte Tourism Development has besides signed a strategical business statement pinch Gangwon Province and Sokcho City. This collaboration intends to guarantee nan soft departure of nan Costa Serena from Sokcho Port. The business underscores nan value of practice betwixt nan nationalist and backstage sectors successful revitalizing tourism and fostering economical growth.

Baekhyun, CEO of Lotte Tourism Development, emphasized nan value of this collaboration, highlighting that nan mixed efforts betwixt Costa Cruises, section authorities bodies, and backstage companies will thief present a seamless and high-quality acquisition for travelers. By moving together, nan stakeholders purpose to boost nan tourism manufacture successful South Korea, peculiarly successful areas extracurricular Seoul, for illustration Sokcho, which has been increasing successful fame among visitors successful caller years.

The Future of Cruise Tourism successful Korea

This business betwixt Lotte Tourism Development and Costa Cruises signals a promising early for South Korea’s cruise tourism industry. The determination to present caller routes and grow cruise offerings comes astatine a clip erstwhile nan world tourism marketplace is eager for caller experiences and destinations.

Lotte’s strategical description into world markets, including China and Japan, is expected to thrust much world visitors to South Korea, promoting nan state arsenic a cruise hub successful nan region. Additionally, by renewing nan Costa Serena and introducing caller luxury features, Lotte Tourism Development is reinforcing its position arsenic a awesome subordinate successful nan cruise tourism sector.

Conclusion

Lotte Tourism Development’s caller statement pinch Costa Cruises marks an breathtaking caller section successful South Korea’s cruise tourism industry. By signing 2 charter cruise contracts for May 2026, Lotte is not only enhancing its offerings but is besides reinforcing nan increasing value of public-private collaborations successful nan tourism sector. The complete renewal of nan Costa Serena, mixed pinch nan revival of cardinal routes to Japan and China, promises to connection unforgettable experiences to some world and home travelers. As nan manufacture recovers, Lotte’s initiatives are expected to make a important publication to nan section system and tourism maturation successful South Korea.

Image Credit: Costa Favolosa, Costa Cruises