Costa Celebrates 60th Anniversary by Doubling Capacity

Massimo Brancaleoni (Costa Cruises Vice President of Pacific Asia Operations - left) presents Anthony Lau (Executive Director of HKTB - right) with a football jersey signed by Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri (centre)

Cake cutting celebrations

Costa Cruises combined two well known Italian brands when they teamed up with football team Juventus at a Hong Kong event aboard its ship Costa Allegra.

The famous soccer team was in town to play a local Hong Kong side and to help the cruise line in its 60th anniversary celebrations.

As part of the event, Coasta Cruises management announced they would be doubling their capacity in the Asia region. The cruise line is already seeing substantial growth in the region with more than a million passengers already experiencing the brand and with the target of 1.5 million by 2010.

The Hong Kong event, which included an impromptu soccer tutorial with a local children’s side by the professional players on the ship’s pool deck, is one of a series of events to mark the diamond anniversary.

In attendance at the event were the Consulate general of Italy, Alessandro De Pedys, the Executive Director of the HKTB, Anthony Lau and other prominent members of the Hong Kong travel industry.

Juventus play with members of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth groups Jockey Club Tin Yiu Youth S.P.O.T.

“As one of the international liners to schedule cruises in the region, and to permanently base one, and soon to be two, of its ships in Asia, Costa is playing a major role in cruise tourism,” said Mr lau. “The future of cruising in Hong Kong and China looks very bright and I’m excited to work with Costa together in this rapidly developing industry.” He added that the proposed Kai Tak cruise terminal, sited on the former airport, was expected to be fully operational by 2012.

“Costa is a household name in Italy, for luxury and sophistication,” said Mr De pedy. “Now it is an international house hold name especially in Asia. The cruise line has achieved a great deal since it’s first passenger cruise to South America.”

There was a brief appearance by the football side, whom Costa is supporting on its Costa Cruises Juvebtus Asia-Pacific Tour 2008, during which the team will play friendly matches in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Melbourne.