First yachts arrive as southbound travel scheme commences

The Southbound Yacht Travel Scheme has commenced, with the first five

yachts making their way to Hong Kong waters.

This latest scheme is a move by the government

to get a piece of the global superyacht

industry that is expected to be worth 350 billion dollars by 2032.

The first of five Guangdong-registered yachts signed up to the Southbound Yacht

Travel Scheme made its way to the Lantau Yacht Club this afternoon.

A Marine Department vessel led the way, horns blaring.

One of the yachts displayed a banner marking its inaugural Southbound voyage.

Director of Marine Wong Sai-fat was on site to greet those arriving.

Three of the Guangdong-registered yachts arrived from Shenzhen, two others

from Zhuhai and Nansha, with a total of 30 passengers onboard.

One yacht owner said he would previously travel by car when coming to Hong Kong,

and the journey by boat was a wholly new experience.

The ocean in Hong Kong is beautiful, the mountains too, he said.

He furthered that before the scheme, they would only pass through Hong Kong waters

but never able to moor.

He and his group plan to stay in the city for two or three days, with no

confirmed itinerary except to visit Tsim Sha Tsui and Central.

Guangdong-registered yachts can moor at one of five berths, including

in Sai Kung, Tai O and Stanley, with 115 designated dock spaces available.

Yachts can also opt to moor at any one of 10 private yacht clubs across the city.

Some private yacht clubs have carved out dock spaces in anticipation of

the growing number of yachts coming from the mainland that could drive

a 20% revenue growth.

A representative from a yacht club says Discovery Bay is a unique location

outfitted with a resort and golf course, ready for those sailing from up north

to enjoy.

Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong, during the welcoming ceremony,

said Hong Kong will align with national planning to build the city into a yacht hub.

Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mabel Chan stated local training institutions

will be commissioned to provide online courses to make it more convenient

for foreign captains to undergo credential assessments.