Worldwide Cruise Terminals has announced the return of major events and more ships at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal in Hong Kong.
“In 2023, ship calls only started on March 8th, so 2023 YTD is not
directly comparable with 2019. We anticipate 144 ship calls in 2023,
versus 178 in 2019,” said Jeff Bent, managing director of Worldwide
Cruise Terminals, which oversees Kai Tak Cruise Terminal.
According to Bent, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal has 30 scheduled ship
calls for 2024, with the expectation of additional bookings from Resorts
World Cruises' homeporting Resorts World One and the inclusion of calls already announced by Royal
Caribbean.
Looking ahead, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal is poised to host even more events throughout 2023, with the arrival of inaugural calls from cruise liners, including Viking Orion, MSC Bellissima, and Celebrity Solstice, in the second half of the year.
In addition to the boost in cruise ship activity, the terminal has once again
become a vibrant hub for events like luxury car launches and performances by renowned local boy bands, bringing a renewed sense of energy and excitement to the Kai Tak
district, which has also experienced significant development in terms of
residential projects, community facilities, and enhanced public
transportation services in 2023.
In addition to the exciting events, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal takes
pride in its role in the ongoing transformation of the district.
Notable developments include the recent opening of the Kai Tak MTR
station, improved road access, the influx of residents into nearby
apartment buildings, and the introduction of new bus services.
"The most exciting thing for us at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal is
helping the district around us come to life,” said Bent. “Since last
year, we saw the Kai Tak MTR station open, we persuaded the Town
Planning Board to retain adjacent land for hotel use, we saw new direct
road access completed, residents moving into apartment buildings near
the cruise terminal, and new additional bus services launched.”
“We have a new restaurant operator preparing to commence business at
the cruise terminal. Next year, the new Kai Tak Sports Park will be
completed, recreational parks, and bike trails and seaside promenades
will be ready. The district is emerging from its chrysalis.
The resurgence of major events at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal aligns
with the broader progress in Hong Kong's tourism and transport
infrastructure. The city has witnessed significant advancements, such as
the establishment of cultural landmarks like the West Kowloon Cultural
District, the revitalisation of historic venues including Tai Kwun, PMQ,
The Mills, and the Bishop's Hill Reservoir, and the expansion of
one-stop boundary crossings.
Notably, the completion of the three-runway system at Hong Kong
International Airport in the coming year will further bolster the city's
position as a global transportation hub.