Addressing berth shortages: Key to boosting yacht tourism development in HK

Chief Executive John Lee proposed in his Policy Address to promote yacht tourism in the expansion area of Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter, the ex-Lamma Quarry area, and the development of the waterfront site near Hung Hom Station, exploring market interest in these three projects.

Bernadette Linn Hon Ho, Secretary for Development stated yesterday (Oct. 22) that the authorities aim to develop yacht tourism by providing berths to encourage high-end consumption from talents and enterprises coming to Hong Kong, such as yacht purchases. There will also be overseas tourists who drive their yachts directly to Hong Kong for travel.

Hong Kong boasts a beautiful natural harbor, creating favorable conditions for yacht tourism development.

In fact, traditional yacht clubs in Hong Kong are well-known internationally and host numerous local and international events each year.

In recent years, however, the development of yacht tourism in Hong Kong has stagnated, primarily due to a lack of new berthing facilities and docks. In such circumstances, the issue of available berths remains unresolved even if individuals can afford to buy yachts.

In the early 2000s, a consortium proposed to build a large yacht complex at the southeastern end of Lamma Island, planning to provide 500 yacht berths. However, the project was labeled by politicians as a real estate monopoly and an environmental threat, ultimately failing to materialize.

Yacht tourism is a high-end industry with significant business opportunities, ranging from yacht transactions, maintenance, docking, to dining, hotel accommodations, service industries, etc., creating a long industrial chain that involves high consumption.

The full utilization of Hong Kong's advantages of natural harbor to develop yacht tourism contributes to fostering the local high-end economy as well as telling the good stories of Hong Kong in a different way.

(Source: Ta Kung Pao)

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