Hong Kong is preparing to re-establish itself as Asia’s premier cruise port after a difficult three years highlighted by intermittent ship bans and COVID-19 restrictions.
According to the Hong Kong Tourism Authority, almost 160 ship visits from 16 cruise lines have been confirmed for Hong Kong in 2023, indicating a full comeback.
Hong Kong is poised to take advantage of its convenient position and revive its tourism industry as the sector recovers.
During the previous three years, cruising in Hong Kong has been plagued by problems, including the brief suspension of Spectrum of the Seas’ operations owing to COVID-19 concerns.
Yet new trends point to the city’s cruise sector making a comeback.
Hong Kong is once again one of the world’s most fascinating harbour cities and sought-after destinations for cruise tourists now that the mask mandate has been abolished.
“With the mask requirement lifted, Hong Kong shines brightly once more as one of the most fascinating harbour towns and desired destinations for cruise tourists worldwide.” We have booked approximately 160 ship calls from 16 cruise companies for 2023.”
“This marks the complete revival of Hong Kong’s cruise scene.”
The rapid revival of the cruise business in Hong Kong may be attributed to the trust and connections they have created with cruise lines, said Kenneth Wong, MICE & Cruise General Manager of the Hong Kong Tourist Board.
Kenneth Wong attributed the quick turnaround to the long-standing ties he has with cruise lines.
Silversea Cruises, for example, kicked off the cruise season with Silver Spirit’s return to Hong Kong in mid-January.
In addition to Silversea, cruise ships from several cruise lines will visit Hong Kong in 2023.
Mein Schiff, Viking, Royal Caribbean International, Azamara, Holland America Line, and Windstar are among them.
The cruise sector can now access the vast market in Mainland China thanks to the resurgence of cruise activity in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is conveniently positioned in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, home to 86 million people, and is linked to the rest of the region by the world’s longest sea bridge, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.
Because of this link, cruise companies may expand their services to appeal to a broader range of customers, including those in the vast Mainland market.
China’s cruise business was expected to surpass the rest of the world’s size before the pandemic hit.
China was the world’s second-largest cruise market in 2019, with an expected 5 million outward cruise passengers.
China’s massive population, expanding middle class, and rising disposable incomes present enormous opportunities for the cruise industry.
Now that Hong Kong is rising again, it can take advantage of the massive potential of the Chinese cruise industry and attract tens of millions of tourists from across the world.
As Hong Kong rebuilds and evolves, it will once again be able to provide visitors with one-of-a-kind adventures, just as it has for decades.
Tags: Cruise Industry, Cruise Lines International Association, Hong Kong Tourism Authority, Kenneth Wong, MICE & Cruise, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Tourism industry, Silversea Cruises, China’s cruise business, Viking, Royal Caribbean International, Azamara, Holland America Line, Windstar
