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cruise lines and passengers.

Selling Hong Kong

Located at an advantageous geographical position, Hong The investment in the development of the new Kai Tak Cruise

Kong boasts a comprehensive aviation network, and fully Terminal, as an example, is indeed just one of these strategic one-half of the world's population can be reached in just ? ve moves. After the commissioning of the Kai Tak Cruise Termi- hours' ? ying time. The Tourism Commission spokesman said, nal in June 2013, the Hong Kong Government and the terminal “We are also at the doorstep of the enormous source market operator have been continuously working on enhancing the in mainland China and we have an increasingly huge local services and facilities there. Beyond this, a number of mega- source market. Together with the excellent infrastructure, size infrastructure projects which connect people from all over

Hong Kong can be easily reached by cruise visitors from all the world are ongoing. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, over the world. Such a strategic location also means that Hong the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and

Kong can offer diverse choices for cruise itineraries.” the Third Runway System of the Hong Kong International Air-

Like New Orleans in the United Besides, the professional port are all projects that will eventually bring more people to tourism trade is Hong Kong’s great asset. They are experi- Hong Kong, more ef? ciently and in a faster manner.

enced in providing support services to cruise companies and Local facilities include public transport services such as passengers to international standards. Together with the exist- public bus and mini-buses, ferry services as well as special ing tourist offerings and attractions, Hong Kong is an ideal shuttle bus services. Moreover, the Kai Tak Development cruise destination where cruise passengers can experience the area, at which the Terminal is situated, is undergoing massive unique culture of ‘east meets west.’ development with new roads and facilities such as sports sta- dium under planning or constructions.

With almost 25% of the local economy driven by logistics,

Building on the Future

More importantly, the Government, together with the Hong and much of that in the local maritime cluster, it shouldn’t be

Kong Tourism Board, is committed to facilitating the cruise much of a surprise that gearing up for more and bigger cruise lines in making deployments in Hong Kong and maintains ships is just another day at the of? ce for local planners. Home close contact with the cruise tourism trade to provide neces- to the world’s 4th largest ship register and with Hong Kong- sary support to them. In fact, the Hong Kong Government based shipowners controlling as much as 9 percent of the has been investing in different public works projects to en- world’s tonnage, a vibrant group of maritime law, marine in- hance the overall infrastructure and transport network in Hong surance and ship ? nance professionals contribute much more

Kong. As far as cruise tourism is concerned, the Government, to the global shipping picture. Hong Kong’s already enviable together with the cruise terminal operators, are committed cruise business is about to join them at the grownups table. to providing excellent services and supporting facilities for www.ktd.gov.hk/eng/ www.maritimelogisticsprofessional.com 29

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