Hong Kong Cruise Industry
In its 2023 summary report, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) highlighted the solid and continued interest for cruises in Hong Kong. The cruise industry was grounded to a halt during COVID_19 but made an impressive recovery last year as Kai Tak Terminal Terminal recorded 164 ship calls which brought in 476,000 travelers. This figure represented approximately 75% of Hong Kong’s pre-pandemic number of 218 ship calls in 2019.
For 2024, HKTB projected 173 ship calls but when a major cruise operator recently announced its exit from Hong Kong to expand into the Middle East region, Hong Kong lost its major homeport operator to Dubai and Doha. This move has led to Hong Kong’s urgent seeking of new operators would make Hong Kong its home port and new partners for its cruise terminals to increase ship calls.
The Hong Kong Tourism Commission has developed new strategies to help the city regain its status as one of the region’s premier cruise destinations. The agency is offering better rates to operators that make would make regular and year-round season deployments from its terminals; investing on marketing and promotion in both short and long-haul markets and strengthening partnerships with operators to drive new demand; curating new travel programs that would entail pre and post cruise travel arrangements and attractions; and improving connectivity to local and regional attractions.
According to an industry expert, many cruise operators still consider Hong Kong an attractive home port. It is a global top aviation hub with direct flights to 129 destinations across 42 countries. Hong Kong passengers are also known for their strong purchasing power. In 2023, Hong Kong’s GDP per capita was US$ 64,431 and many residents consider cruises a good vacation option that would cater for multi-generations trips.
Our source further elaborated that the demand for cruises is expanding globally and that new ships are being built to meet this need. For now, cruise liners are focusing on their most profitable markets. With new cruise ships coming online in the next few years, operators will review how best to capture new and existing cruise markets. Looking at Hong Kong’s unique selling points, the industry feels that high quality mid-size cruises that accommodates between 1500-3000 people are ideal for the Hong Kong market.
U.S. cruise operators that are interested to explore growth opportunities in Hong Kong, please contact our office at office.hongkong@trade.gov to discuss market entry strategies.