Cruise ships from 24 companies will berth in Hong Kong next year, an increase from 18 this year, as the SAR administration steps up its efforts to attract tourists back to the city, said acting Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Raistlin Lau Chun.

This came as cruise ship Resorts World One, which belongs to Resorts World Cruises and uses Hong Kong as a home port, yesterday took more than 2,000 passengers in its inaugural service to Sanya, Hainan.

Speaking at a ceremony for the new service, Lau said it was the first time that an international cruise company was traveling to a mainland city since the pandemic ended.

"This is the first cruise to the mainland by an international cruise company after the pandemic, which shows Hong Kong's important role in the country's tourism sector and marks the closer cooperation between the SAR and Hainan," he said.

Hainan has beautiful scenery while Hong Kong serves as an Asian tourism hub, he said, adding cooperation between the two cities can attract tourists from around the world to visit both places.

Lau said Hong Kong has made dedicated efforts to develop the cruise sector in the country and in Asia.

"We have been maintaining close communication with multiple international cruise companies recently to get them to return to Asia by offering support and discounts. Eighteen cruise companies have visited Hong Kong this year and the number will further increase to 24 next year," he said.

Hong Kong will also host the Seatrade Cruise Asia Pacific - a major trade show and conference for the regional cruise industry - at the end of next month, Lau said.

He said the conference will be a good opportunity for senior managers of cruise companies to visit Hong Kong and learn about the latest developments of the cruise markets here and in the mainland and Asia.

Lau also said the tourism sector is recovering as the SAR saw more than 20 million tourists between January and last month.

An average of over 130,000 visitors entered Hong Kong per day last month, he added.

Two cruise ships - Spectrum of the Seas and Resorts World One - berthed at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal yesterday, and Lau said there are sufficient transport facilities at the terminal.

More than 70 local teenagers yesterday boarded the Spectrum of the Seas yesterday to learn about maritime operations and matters.

The ship will return to the China market and use Shanghai and Hong Kong as home ports while visiting nearby countries.

Raistlin Lau

Sanya first lifts cruise hopes for year ahead