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.
According to Bent, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal has 30 scheduled ship calls for 2024, with the expectation of additional bookings from Resorts World Cruises and the inclusion of calls already announced by Royal Caribbean.
In addition to all the ship activity, the terminal has once again become a vibrant hub for events like luxury car launches, captivating performances by a renowned local boy band, and more. These events have brought 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.
The recent events at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal have been met with positive response. The highly anticipated local boy band sensation show, held on 27 May, attracted an attendance of approximately 1,200 fans per session, with additional enthusiasts gathering outside the venue to catch a glimpse of their favorite performers. Similarly, the three-day BMW car launch and family experience event, held from May 19 to 21, welcomed an estimated 1,000 guests per day, totalling around 3,000 attendees in total.
Looking ahead, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal is poised to host even more events throughout 2023. The terminal eagerly anticipates the arrival of inaugural calls from distinguished cruise liners, including Viking Orion, MSC Bellissima, and Celebrity Solstice, in the second half of the year.
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 teminal, 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.