After Hong Kong relaxed most of the anti-epidemic measures for entry, yesterday ushered in the first international cruise ship in three years, carrying 320 passengers to Hong Kong. According to the HKTB, so far at least 16 cruise companies have sought to return to the Hong Kong market this year, offering a total of 82 voyages. The Hong Kong government pointed out that the tourist attractions in Hong Kong are attractive, and they hope to attract cruise companies to choose Hong Kong as their home port, and plan to give away 500,000 air tickets purchased earlier this year. In addition, the government plans to gradually convert the seven spare community isolation facilities to other non-epidemic purposes in an orderly manner.
After 3 years, Hong Kong finally has an international cruise ship carrying passengers to Hong Kong. The “Silver Spirit” of Silversea Cruises, a subsidiary of the Royal Caribbean Group, carried about 320 passengers at about 7:00 a.m. yesterday, and slowly sailed into Lei Yue Mun to Tsim Sha Tsui Ocean Terminal. During the process, they were escorted by fire boats and sprayed water to welcome them.
After the first batch of tourists completed the entry procedures, Yang Runxiong, Director of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, and Peng Yaojia, Chairman of the Tourism Board, presented souvenirs one by one. The Silver Spirit departs from Singapore and arrives in Hong Kong yesterday via Vietnam. It will only stay in Hong Kong for 1 day. Some tourists said they would stay in Hong Kong for a few more days, while others said they would buy time for shopping and sightseeing in Hong Kong, and were arranged by the Tourism Board to visit the West Kowloon Cultural District and take the Peak Tram.
After welcoming the cruise passengers, Yang Runxiong said that the cruise industry can help bring a group of high-spending tourists, which is an important part of the tourism industry. Businesses depart from Hong Kong or travel to cities in the Greater Bay Area via Hong Kong. He went on to say that Hong Kong has a certain degree of attractiveness and is very attractive to tourists. The authorities will discuss with the Tourism Board how to “do more extensively and deeply” the work of attracting cruise ships, including allowing cruise companies to use Hong Kong as their home port and set up offices. Wait.
Lawmakers concerned about slow tourism recovery
Government says publicity will take time
However, almost a month after the government relaxed the anti-epidemic measures for overseas entry, the number of tourists visiting Hong Kong has not met expectations. Some members of the Legislative Council are concerned about the pace of recovery of the tourism industry. Responding to questions in the Legislative Council General Assembly, Yang Runxiong pointed out that in the past three years, the government has launched measures involving a commitment of about 4.48 billion yuan to support the tourism industry. orderly recovery and gradually return to work. He continued that about 500,000 air tickets purchased by the AA in 2020 are planning to give away to passengers through different promotional activities within this year, and the details will be announced in due course.
As for customs clearance with the Mainland, some Members are concerned that a large number of cross-border buses are awaiting the China Inspection (CCIC) inspection before returning to service, or they may not be able to resume service in a short time. Liao Zhenxin, deputy director of the Bureau of Transport and Logistics, responded that he will speed up the review of mainland licenses and driver’s licenses, and maintain close contact with the China Inspection Commission, and will consider strengthening the inspection of vehicles when necessary.
In terms of the epidemic situation, there were 3,793 new confirmed cases of new coronary pneumonia in Hong Kong yesterday, including 109 imported cases, and one more local case of the XBB.1.5 mutant virus strain. In a written reply to Legislative Council Members’ questions yesterday, the Director of Medical and Health, Lo Chong-mao, stated that apart from the Penny’s Bay Community Isolation Facility that is still in operation, the remaining seven community isolation facilities will be actively considered to be gradually and orderly converted to other non-anti-epidemic purposes.
Originally published on AM730 https://www.am730.com.hk/Local/Three years of epidemic lockdown – the first international cruise ship to return – at least 16 cruise companies return to Hong Kong within this year / 357942?utm_source=yahoorss&utm_medium=referral
