With Hong Kong's Kai Tak Cruise Terminal coming into operation, Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong Chairman Michael Wu says he believes local people will start to see the virtues of cruise travel and that one day Hong Kong will rival Singapore as a first-class home port for cruise liners.

Wu notes that the sale of local advertising for ocean cruises shows that local travel agencies are upbeat about the opportunities for seagoing vacations departing from Hong Kong.

Cruise vacations haven't caught on in Asia the way they have in other regions and the business is just starting to open up here. Not long ago, while the economies of Europe and the US were still buoyant, cruise ships hardly ever checked in to Asian ports. People in Asia wanting to join cruise holidays had to fly to Europe or North America to get on board.

"Cruise holidays have great potential in Hong Kong with international cruise liners starting to head for Asia / Hong Kong and reserving higher quotas for Asian tourists," he said.

After welcoming the first cruise liner in June, the cruise terminal will see the next liners in October, after Hong Kong's July-September typhoon season has passed. Wu sees this as normal. Cruise terminals in general operate only seven months a year. For Hong Kong, an ideal picture would see 10 cruise liners berthing in Hong Kong per month.

The new terminal occupies a large area, that in years to come will fill up with shopping malls, hotels and restaurants. Once it is completed there will be a full range of dining, shopping and leisure facilities, similar to what are available now at Ocean Terminal.

From September 20 to 22, an expo on cruise travel will be held in Hong Kong. Wu says at least 17 of the 20 top cruise liner companies will join, showing that they see Hong Kong as an important, emerging market.

"Hong Kong people are very fond of traveling. For seasoned travelers who have already been to many places afar, cruise travel is a new experience and a new kind of enjoyment. In the past, cruise holiday-goers were the silver haired set but now many younger people are joining cruise vacations.

"Most cruise voyages sailing from Hong Kong are short-haul voyages of six to seven days to Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam and Hainan Province. Prices range from several thousand dollars, to over ten thousand, depending on the accommodations on board.

"Cruise holiday-goers are middle class and high earners. They like to join in groups (groups of friends, members of a family or several families), so cruise travel provides a very big, high-spending source of customers," he said.

Wu also welcomes the new policy that allows mainland citizens to continue their journeys to Japan and Korea after completing their cruises starting from Hong Kong. In the past, travelers were required to return to the mainland first before heading for other destinations.

"This will be a very big attraction for mainland residents," he commented.

Wu expects the new cruise terminal will generate extra tourist spending as the passengers will likely arrive in Hong Kong a day or two before boarding or stay behind after the voyage and will spend on accommodation, dining and shopping during their stay in town.

Contact the writer at joseph@chinadailyhk.com

(HK Edition 09/13/2013 page8)