Hong Kong welcomes three Cunard ‘Queens’ and will see more cruise liners dropping anchor in the city
Commerce minister Greg So says 80 per cent more cruise ships will use the under-utilised Kai Tak terminal next year
Three “Queens” called in on Victoria Harbour within 24 hours for the first time in Asia, as the underutilised Kai Tai Cruise Terminal was expected to host 80 per cent more cruises next year.
Queen Mary 2 berthed at the terminal yesterday morning. Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth were scheduled to dock overnight at Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui.
The vessels are among the world’s biggest cruise liners, and will bring about 17,000 visitors to the city, according to cruise operator Cunard.
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The three vessels were involved in a spectacular get-together in the British port of Liverpool last May to celebrate Cunard’s 175th anniversary.
Speaking at the welcoming ceremony in Hong Kong, Commerce Secretary Greg So Kam-leung said Hong Kong should capitalise on fly-cruise tourism opportunities and high-value visitors.
However, tourism sector legislater Yiu Si-wing noted the ships wouldn’t stay long in Hong Kong, which meant there would not be many economic benefits.
“Most cruise passagers are high-value tourists and tend to stay in Hong Kong a little bit longer,” So said, adding that 90 sailings were scheduled for Kai Tak this year and 162 next year.
To attract more fly-cruise tourists – who fly to Hong Kong to embark on cruises – So said the government would bring together travel agencies and aviation and cruise companies to develop more diversified travel packages for international and local travellers.