It’s optimistic information that the Chief Government of Hong Kong has shifted the highlight to help yacht tourism and the pleasure boating business. As an business, we absolutely agree with the director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Workplace, Xia Baolong, who urged to “Make good use of Hong Kong’s 1,180km of shoreline and 263 islands, and develop wellness tourism, trip tourism, cultural tourism and cruise tourism”.
It has been shut to twenty years since a brand new marina was in-built Hong Kong. The 4 recognized websites for improvement in Hong Kong would pave the way in which ahead for extra development for the boating business and the area people. Every of the 4 websites has its deserves, however ought to be studied intimately to maximise their full potential.
Hung Hom Marina: That is best for a landmark marina as it’s within the harbour, enhancing the picture of Hong Kong. It is going to be a pure extension of the Tsim Sha Tsui Avenue of Stars, encouraging the general public to benefit from the waterfront.
Floating constructions or platforms alongside the ocean wall might allow extra actions, retailers or eating places alongside the boardwalk. A marina with watersports services on this location would allow Hong Kong to host mega watersports occasions, which might reactivate Tsim Sha Tsui East. The proximity to The Polytechnic College might open the potential for extra marine analysis or to supply technical programs.
Aberdeen Storm Shelter: An Aberdeen marina improvement enlargement would improve one of the crucial established boating hubs in Hong Kong. The enlarged sheltered water space might accommodate bigger yachts above 30m to berth, and supply a brand new upkeep yard. It could additionally present another means to entry the long-lasting Ocean Park and new Fullerton Resort.
Airport Marina: The marina and watersports services in Skytopia have benefits in capturing the residents in Tung Chung, Tuen Mun and the Better Bay Space (GBA). Yacht house owners from the GBA might cross the border by automobile and hop on their yachts to cruise in Hong Kong. Guests might fly in, constitution a yacht, and uncover Hong Kong.
Alternatively, native yachts might berth on the airport marina and go to the assorted Lantau sights akin to Tai O, Ma Wan, Discovery Bay, and Disneyland.
Lamma Island: A marina will not be applicable right here as there should not sufficient present supporting services – akin to water, electrical energy and sewage – and with no floor transportation, it’s too far for the boat house owners, captains and crew to provision the boats.
Nevertheless, Lamma has deserves in being a cruising vacation spot with present eating places and cultural/vacationer sights just like the fisherman village in Picnic Bay/Sok Kwu Wan, in addition to loads of seashores and strolling trails.
CREATE A CRUISING NETWORK
For Hong Kong to be a yachting vacation spot, we have to look past marinas and attempt to construct a cruising community. We must always improve and lengthen the touchdown platforms or berths at varied island places, whereas new and present marinas ought to allocate a sure variety of berths for visiting yachts.
BIG ECONOMIC IMPACT
Based mostly on Hong Kong Census figures, the Hong Kong boating business has a mean import worth of US$285 million per 12 months (2020-2024), starting from canoes to superyachts.
The boating business doesn’t simply cease at boat gross sales. The native financial affect continues all through the lifespan of the boat; on common,house owners must spend about 10 per cent of the boat worth yearly on upkeep.
This interprets to jobs and income for a lot of companies and people – together with captains/crew, berthing/mooring charges, shipyards/mechanics/electricians, insurance coverage, spare-parts gross sales, transportation, coaching, gas stations, eating places and even the native supermarkets.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Hong Kong has a wealthy maritime historical past and can be excellent for ecotourism, as we’re blessed with stunning waters and islands, in addition to a Unesco World Geopark. Many islands have cultural and vacationer sights, in addition to nice native seafood eating places.
WAY FORWARD
The pleasure boat business has grown considerably in latest many years, however has been stifled by the dearth of berthing house. To make sure these proposed marina developments are designed with the right berthing combine, adequate services, and may cater to the boating business, we imagine a authorities activity power or committee for the pleasure boating business is critical.
LAWRENCE CHOW
Chow is Chair of the Hong Kong Boating Business Affiliation and the Icomia Asia Working Group. He’s founder and Director of Marine Asia, a marina consultancy representing Poralu Marine in Hong Kong and Macau, and the Supervisor of China Pacific Marine, a family-run boat dealership in Hong Kong that represents Jeanneau, Boston WhalerYanmar, Honda Marine, Sunstream and Yachtwerft Meyer.
hongkongbia.com
icomia.org
marine-asia.com
chinapacificmarine.com
This text was first seen on YachtStyle.com.
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