"Cruise passengers" surged to over 350,000 last year, up 63%
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government is committed to promoting cruise tourism. Last month, 17 international cruise ships visited Hong Kong, bringing a considerable number of visitors. According to the terminal schedule, at least 10 more cruise ships will visit Hong Kong this month. Among them, vessels like the Piano Land, Mein Schiff, and Ovation of the Seas have made Hong Kong their homeport, with some returning multiple times.
Scholars have analyzed that the number of cruises using Hong Kong as a homeport is gradually increasing, accounting for about half of all cruise ship stops in Hong Kong. The Mainland is predicted to be a key market for the future development of Hong Kong's cruise tourism.
Several figures in Hong Kong's tourism industry believe that cruise tourism has great potential, especially with the synergy between the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and the Sports Park. The terminal is only a five-minute drive from the Sports Park business district, which is expected to address the terminal's previous "isolation" issue. It can also complement the city's event-driven economy. As the Kai Tak Sports Park comes into full operation, more events will be held, creating a synergistic effect.
According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, 30 cruise companies sent ships to Hong Kong last year, an increase of 12 companies from the previous year. Total cruise passenger traffic reached 355,000, up 63% year-on-year. In March alone, 17 international cruise ships visited Hong Kong. In the recently announced budget, Financial Secretary Paul Chan mentioned that the HKSAR government plans to allocate HK$46 million to support the tourism industry through subsidies for cruise companies during the 2027/2028 and 2028/2029 fiscal years to attract more ships to dock in Hong Kong.
Fueling, restocking, and various services are expected to drive employment growth
Mr. Wong, Programme Director of the Hotel and Tourism Institute, Vocational Training Council, said in a radio interview yesterday (April 4) that the rise in cruise visits to Hong Kong was expected, and he remains optimistic about the port's performance for the rest of the year. He noted that the number of cruises using Hong Kong as a homeport is gradually increasing, now accounting for about half of the total number of cruise stops.
Cruise homeports require a range of services, including restocking and fueling, which not only boost tourism but also create job opportunities in marine-related industries. Wong pointed out that the current capacity of Hong Kong's terminals is far from its limits. "Kai Tak Cruise Terminal has two berths capable of hosting large cruise ships over 200,000 tons. Its commercial capacity can still accommodate more. Smaller vessels now mostly dock at the Tsim Sha Tsui terminal, and both terminals can handle the current traffic."
Regarding future growth, Wong admitted it is difficult to predict the exact number of cruises but emphasized that the overall trend is positive. "Hong Kong fully reopened (after the pandemic) later than other regions. Cruise companies usually plan routes two to three years in advance. Therefore, nearby areas like Singapore and Japan received more cruises in the early stages of reopening. However, Hong Kong's situation has been improving since the start of this year, especially for Asia-Pacific routes, which are performing exceptionally well."
Wong also highlighted that the mainland will be a key market for Hong Kong's cruise tourism. He suggested developing new products that align with Hong Kong's event-driven economy. For example, during last year's Wine & Dine Festival, a European cruise ship docked in Hong Kong, and the cruise company arranged for passengers to visit the event directly after disembarking. The experience was highly praised by the passengers. He hopes similar cases can be replicated for other major events in the future.
Stakeholders need to strengthen communication to tackle terminal transport issues
Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, Timothy Chui, told Wen Wei Po that he believes the city's cruise operations have largely returned to normal and expects steady growth in the future. "I've never thought there was anything wrong with our cruise operations. The main reason is that Hong Kong only resumed full border reopening in 2023, and it takes time to restore cruise routes. I know some international cruise lines are interested in docking in Hong Kong."
Regarding previous issues with transportation and inadequate commercial facilities at Kai Tak Terminal, Chui believes such issues can be resolved through better communication among stakeholders. "It may take time to establish commercial facilities at Kai Tak Terminal, but the terminal is very close to the Sports Park. A five-minute drive can reach the large shopping malls near the Sports Park." He suggested that cruise companies and the terminal operator actively seek business collaborations, such as arranging shuttle buses to address transportation problems after cruises dock.
Wong Chun-tat, Chairman of the Tourism Affairs Committee of the Business and Professionals Alliance, told Wen Wei Po that he believes cruise docking will bring more international visitors to Hong Kong. With the completion of the Kai Tak Sports Park, more major events will take place there, creating a synergy between the Sports Park and visiting cruises, increasing tourists' length of stay and spending in the city.
(Source: Wen Wei Po)
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