We want to make better use of cruise terminal: Govt

Culture, sports and tourism minister Kevin Yeung on Monday said officials will study how to make better use of the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal.In last week's Policy Address, Chief Executive John Lee said the SAR will publish an action plan on developing cruise tourism to enhance the terminal's role as a hub for conventions and exhibitions."We now hope to see if we can better utilise the space of the cruise terminal. For example, can we make use of the rooftop area? It's currently a park. Is there anything else we can do there? How can we promote more convention and exhibition activities?" Yeung told a radio programme. Asked about Singapore receiving more cruise ships than Hong Kong in July and August, the minister said it's not a fair comparison."Traditionally, Hong Kong's typhoon season runs from May to August. This doesn't exist in some places, for example Singapore. So, comparing cruise ship numbers in July and August is not the best," he said. "It's not about how many typhoons we have in July and August, but because cruise lines won't take risks in their scheduling during the typhoon season."Yeung also said more will be done to develop "horse racing tourism" as outlined in the policy blueprint, such as working with the Jockey Club to promote international horse-racing events. But he said authorities need to carefully consider whether the current 18-year-old age limit for racegoers would be lowered.

Culture, sports and tourism minister Kevin Yeung on Monday said officials will study how to make better use of the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. In last week's Policy Address, Chief Executive John Lee said the SAR will publish an action plan on developing cruise tourism to enhance the terminal's role as a hub for conventions and exhibitions. "We now hope to see if we can better utilise the space of the cruise terminal.

For example, can we make use of the rooftop area? It's currently a park. Is there anything else we can do there? How can we promote more convention and exhibition activities?" Yeung told a radio programme. Asked about Singapore receiving more cruise ships than Hong Kong in July and August, the minister said it's not a fair comparison.

"Traditionally, Hong Kong's typhoon season runs from May to August. This doesn't exist in some places, for example Singapore. So, comparing cruise ship numbers in July and August is not the best," he said.

"It's not about how many typhoons we have in July and August, but because cruise lines won't take risks in their scheduling during the typhoon season." Yeung also said more will be done to develop "horse racing tourism" as outlined in the policy blueprint, such as working with the Jockey Club to promote international horse-racing events. But he said authorities need to carefully consider whether the current 18-year-old age limit for racegoers would be lowered.

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