"Guangdong Yachts Southbound" measure officially launched; Mabel Chan: Further establishing Hong Kong as a superyacht hub

Title context: "Guangdong Yachts Southbound" measure officially launched; Mabel Chan: Further establishing Hong Kong as a superyacht hub Text: The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Yacht Free-Travel "Guangdong Yachts Southbound" measure officially set sail today, with the first batch of five approved mainland yachts successfully arriving in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mabel Chan said that "Guangdong Yachts Southbound" can drive the development of cross-border navigation and leisure industries, create a consumption model for high-end visitors, and further establish Hong Kong as a superyacht hub. Mabel Chan stressed that yacht free travel is not only aimed at the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, but can also attract overseas yachts to come to Hong Kong for consumption and tourism. She also noted that the Marine Department has commissioned a Hong Kong institution to offer an online assessment course to facilitate the relevant evaluation of overseas captains. Hong Kong Legislative Council member (Election Committee constituency) Chu Lap-wai said that the number of yachts coming to Hong Kong in the first phase met expectations and was encouraging, and expressed hope that the first batch of yacht owners would help spread the word after their experience so as to attract more mainland yacht owners who are still watching to come to Hong Kong. He suggested that the government should, in the long run, improve regular supporting arrangements and, in conjunction with outlying island resources, promote "island-hopping tours" and exclusive land itineraries, so as to give full play to the role of the yacht economy in driving Hong Kong's industrial chain. In response to external concerns such as the lack of direct power supply and replenishment facilities in anchorage areas, Chu Lap-wai said that at this stage the number of visiting yachts is relatively small, and Hong Kong's existing marine service suppliers, supply stations around Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter and marine fuel stations are sufficient to meet demand. However, from a medium- to long-term development perspective, if the yacht economy is to be promoted on a regular basis, advance planning is necessary, including adding water supply and charging facilities at piers near anchorage areas, and even considering building more marina infrastructure. Chu Lap-wai further pointed out that Hong Kong's yacht-related industrial chain has strong capabilities, with maintenance services leaning toward the high end and ample parts support. He suggested that the government play a coordinating role, provide policy support and publicity, and guide high-end yacht customers to spend in Hong Kong. In terms of tourism product development, Chu Lap-wai suggested that the tourism industry work closely with the Hong Kong Tourism Board and make use of Hong Kong's unique geopark and outlying island resources to launch "island-hopping tours" covering places such as Tai O, Lamma Island and Cheung Chau, arranging for visitors to explore natural scenery and taste local cuisine during the day, and go to bustling districts such as Central and Causeway Bay at night for shopping and major events. In addition, drawing on overseas experience, he suggested creating tailor-made "private car one-day tours" with dedicated guides for yacht visitors, providing seamless land connections and fully catering to high-spending customer groups, injecting new momentum into Hong Kong's economy. Hong Kong Acting Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said in a speech at the maiden voyage ceremony that Hong Kong is actively developing into an Asian yacht hub, and it is estimated that the global superyacht industry market value will reach about HK$350 billion by 2032. He believes that Hong Kong, with its unique advantages, has the strength to "get a share" of this industry. Paul Chan Mo-po pointed out that the national "15th Five-Year Plan" outline explicitly proposes developing leisure consumption such as cruises and yachts, and Hong Kong's first five-year plan also lists actively developing the yacht economy as a key direction. At present, there are about 6,000 superyachts of 30 meters or more in length worldwide, of which more than 90 use Hong Kong as a port of call. To support industrial development, the SAR government is fully promoting the construction of four new marinas, which are expected to provide more than 1,100 berths and related clubhouse facilities, and it is believed that this will greatly enhance and improve the infrastructure for Hong Kong's yacht economy.