BPA urges promotion of cruise industry and convention tourism

Hong Kong could become a cruise ship hub and convention center in East Asia as the Belt and Road (B&R) development takes off, the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong (BPA) said on Thursday.

The BPA was briefing local media with a proposal they will present to the upcoming National People’s Congress (NPC) and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee.

It also said mainland immigration authorities should allow online visa applications for frequent travelers to Hong Kong. This could offer them greater convenience when visiting the SAR.

BPA Council Chairman Peter Lam Kin-ngok, also chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), said cruise tourism should be regarded as a priority for the city’s future tourism development as the B&R Initiative involves many seaport cities.

Asia’s cruise industry has witnessed a boom in recent years. A study by the Cruise Lines International Association found that the number of ocean cruise passengers reached 2.08 million in 2015, increasing by 24 percent from 2014.

Cruise tourism was not limited to one region or country, Lam added. Therefore, he suggested more inter-governmental discussions between Hong Kong and other regions and countries be held to help the cruise industry.

Lam also proposed promoting Hong Kong as a con- vention hub. More meetings and exhibitions related to the B&R could be held in the city

Hong Kong currently has two major exhibition venues — the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and AsiaWorld-Expo, which are capable of accommodating large-scale exhibitions and conferences. But booking a meeting room in venues usually needs to be done a year in advance, Lam said.

He then recommended that hotels in the city, especially the international brands, provide incentives to attract small- and mediumscale meetings and exhibitions.

Hong Kong reported a 4.5-percent decrease in the number of visitors in 2016, according to immigration statistics.

Lam predicted that 2017 would see a further 2.2 percent drop — as more regions and countries have applied easier visa policy to mainland visitors.

The BPA thus recommended online travel-permit application for mainland epassport holders to Hong Kong.

The current Individual Visit Scheme, operating in 49 mainland cities, requires applicants to apply for travel permits to Hong Kong in their home cities — which has created trouble for potential visitors. Online applications would offer greater convenience for travelers, Lam said.

The CPPCC and NPC meetings, the country’s largest annual political and legislative events, will start on March 3 and March 5 respectively.