Hong Kong, a budding cruise hub, is expected to become pivotal in multi-stop Asian travel because of its strategic position, tourism veterans say.
Having a cruise terminal that can start accommodating the world's largest vessels by next year can also reinforce the city's regional standing.
'Hong Kong will be seen as a [must-see stop] on Asian cruise itineraries, thanks to its geographical and aviation advantages,' said Ronnie Ho, from Jetour travel agency.
The city is in a good position to develop short-distance tours with stops in major Asian cities, Ho said, although it might be less scenic compared to cruise stops in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
While cruise travel is still at its early stages in the city, plans seem headed in the right direction, with the government's announcement yesterday that the Kai Tak cruise terminal would be operated by the Worldwide Cruise Terminals Consortium - marking an end to a four-year tenancy battle. Two rounds of tender in 2008 had failed to name an operator.
Travel Industry Council chief Michael Wu Siu-ieng was optimistic about the domestic market.