Cruise tourism gets easier and speedier
The new International Passenger Terminal had its grand opening ceremony on Aug. 26 and geared up for full operations. Pictured above is the new terminal, located in the old Dock No. 3 and 4 of the North Port.
The new International Passenger Terminal in Busan, Asia's largest, just had its grand opening on Aug. 26 and began full operations from Aug. 31. The new terminal is fully outfitted, and includes an international passenger terminal, gate, warehouse, rest area and duty-free shops. The venue takes up 93,000 square meters, equivalent to 13 football fields.
The core facility, the International Passenger Terminal, portrays the dynamism of Busan as the maritime capital, as the facade depicts the waves and the powerful movements of a whale. The International Passenger Terminal has one basement floor and five floors above ground, meaning that it can accommodate international ferries and cruise ferries at the same time. By 2020, 2.8 million people are expected to pass through the port annually. Moreover, its fifth floor houses meeting rooms, multi-functional event halls and conference rooms that can host various exhibitions, expos and international meetings. That means that the terminal will serve as a great venue for the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry. The basement contains the parking lot, while the second floor serves as the disembarkation hall. The third floor is for departures. A moving walkway was installed between the arrival and departure area and the dock to facilitate passengers.
For cruise or ferry tourists, convenient services are provided at the arrival hall, including restaurants and other amenities. Visitors can also enjoy shopping at the large-scale duty-free shops on the third floor.
The new terminal has docking facilities where 14 ferries and cruise ships can dock simultaneously. The docks vary widely in size. Some can accommodate five 20,000-ton ships; eight 500-ton ships; and one 100,000-ton cruise ship.
The bigger, better terminal signifies how Busan is ramping up to be a maritime tourism hub.
Additionally, to help tourists using the new terminal, Busan City has revamped the routes of its shuttle and inner-city buses.
Now, No. 5-1 and 1004 buses will stop at the new International Passenger Terminal, where a new bus stop has been set up.
Once the terminal opens, the 45-person capacity shuttle bus will run between the new terminal and Busan Station.
Depending on passenger demand at the new terminal, more buses will be added to the route.
jominje@korea.kr
Copyright 2015, 'Dynamic Busan' all rights reserved.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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