Afternoon tea from The Peninsula on a Star Ferry, and 2-day suspension of its ban of pet dogs, as Hong Kong icon ups its PR game to stay afloat
- The Hong Kong Star Ferry company was badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic that choked the flow of tourists and reduced commuting, and recently raised its fares
- Now it’s branching out, serving Peninsula afternoon teas and, on sunset cruises, canapés and cocktails, while dog owners have a chance to ride with their pets
The future of Hong Kong’s Star Ferry looked bleak last year when reports surfaced that its operator, hurt by the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, was in dire financial straits.
Public outcry ensued – and with good reason. The green and white wooden vessels have criss-crossed the city’s Victoria Harbour for 125 years, serving as both a popular tourist attraction and a cheap and convenient means of transport for locals.
In a bid to keep the service afloat, fares this month were increased by 50 per cent.
Star Ferry has also upped its PR game, collaborating with The Peninsula hotel, the grande dame of Hong Kong’s hospitality family, which this year is celebrating its 95th anniversary.
The collaboration includes a harbour Sunset Soirée Cruise (5.30pm on weekends until July 2) on its World Star ferry with canapés (snow crab roulade with yuzu cream, seared tuna loin with salmon caviar) and cocktails, all washed down with live music.
Also on offer is the hotel’s famous sweet and savoury afternoon tea – tuna Niçoise on focaccia; beef pastrami, classic cucumber sandwiches, citrus jelly and vanilla cheesecake; apple, cinnamon and caramel tartlets and its signature scones with jam and cream – available from 2.30pm to 4.15pm, on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
Star Ferry is also catering to the city’s four-legged friends with “DOG DOG Shipcation”, a collaboration with animal welfare charity SPCA (HK). On April 29 and 30, dog owners and their pets can embark on a 45-minute ferry ride across the harbour, starting from Central.
“There will be plenty of photo opportunities against a backdrop of the harbour’s iconic skyline and architectural structures including the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and the Clock Tower at Tsim Sha Tsui,” says the SPCA (HK)’s business development manager, Lucci Yu.
While fun is high on the agenda, the event will also open conversations about the need for more pet-friendly transport in the city. Pets are currently not allowed on the Star Ferry and are banned on the MTR and buses, with the exception of guide dogs. Offenders can be hit with a HK$5,000 (US$637) fine.
“We’d love to have more boutique events, but also to see more transport systems become animal friendly,” says Yu. “We’ve worked with the public and private sectors for years, encouraging them to integrate pet owners’ needs into the planning, design and management of infrastructure and facilities.
“With an increase in pet ownership and pet-friendly facilities in Hong Kong, there is an increased need for pet owners to easily move around with their animals.”
Each dog participant will receive gifts including a sailor-themed hat and bandana and a customised certificate. All fees and donations from the event will go towards the medical and daily expenses of animals in need at the SPCA.
“The Star Ferry and the SPCA have long histories in Hong Kong, so it’s awesome that we could achieve something new together,” says Yu.
