Rosanna Law, Hong Kong's Secretary for Culture, Sports, and Tourism, revealed in a recent media interview that the government plans to launch a tender for the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal operator contract in the second half of this year.
She noted that the current operator, Worldwide Cruise Terminals, has performed "okay," and improvements in transportation arrangements at the terminal have been made since she took office.
To further revitalize the commercial areas of the cruise terminal, Law disclosed that the government is considering transforming the space into an "entrepreneurial incubation" hub or utilizing it as a performance venue on non-cruise days.
She suggested the initiative could draw inspiration from the Housing Authority's "Well Being · Start-Up" Programme, which supports youth entrepreneurship by offering rent-free spaces. The Tourism Commission plans to invite short-term expressions of interest for the "sky garden" and commercial areas later this year, aiming to boost foot traffic through interim measures without waiting for the completion of the tender process.
In addition, regarding the "Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development," Law stated that new Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are being developed to assess the performance of major performing arts groups.
She emphasized that the KPIs will balance both quality and quantity, factoring in indicators such as the groups' reputation and audience attendance. The number of subsidized arts groups may increase from the current nine, and the government is not inclined to adopt a "one-in, one-out" approach.
Law assured that the evaluation process will not be dominated solely by government officials. Industry experts and professionals will also be involved to ensure a fair and transparent mechanism.
Related News:
Govt working hard to facilitate overseas football teams' visit to HK: Rosanna Law
Comment