Can the Asia Ports completely support the rapid development of cruise industry?
As the cruise industry develops more stronger in Asia, the cruise company builds larger ships with more capacity, in order to increase the competitiveness. However, it was doubted that if the ports are capable for the giant ships in future. In overall, here are plenty of cruise ports over Asia, but it can be chosen Singapore, Keelung, Shanghai, ports as more modern or complete ports. The rest, including Hong Kong, has own weaknesses which needs obvious improvement to become world class port.
Using Hong Kong as example, despite it is one of the mother port in Asia, the components of the terminal is not enough to support the huge volume of passengers. As mentioned in embarkation experience, there is lack of transportation going in and out of the terminal. Also, the restaurants and shops are scarce in the terminal. It leads the less competitiveness to be an attraction. As Hong Kong has a natural advantage that it is one of the minorities allows ultra giant ship for docking. Therefore, Government can assist to apply some policies, such as subsidizing entrepreneur to have business at terminal, to foster the cruise tourism. Besides, there are many ports of call in Asia. As the scale of these ports are relatively smaller, their harbor may not be capable for more giant ships to dock in future. This will be a constraint for cruise to consider the itinerary.
It is welcomed if the development of the cruise industry can boost the economy in Hong Kong.
According to the impacts of tourism, it can be mainly separated into Economic, Social, and Environmental impacts. For the economic impact, it can foster a certain level of the economic growth. When here is an embarkation, which means several thousands of visitors arrive. Normally the docking time is just for a few hours, and the visitors will chase the chance to go sightseeing or shopping within limited time. As both Ocean Terminal and Kai Tak Terminal are near the city, the retailers nearby are benefited. Also, the cruise will cooperate with local agent to hold local tours, it can foster the operations in tourism industry vertically. Since the drop of Chinese guests in these few months, almost two ships docking per weeks can be a positive way to boost the tourism. Visitors will only stay on ground for a few hours, the less they will worry about the security. Meanwhile, they have certain spending powers to foster the retail industry. If in other countries, such as Vietnam, here are another revenue about the Visa. Once the ship docks at Viennese port, compulsory Visa fee for thousands of visitors can be gained together.
For social impact, it is mainly concerned if it will affect the normal life of the locals. As Hong Kong is always overcrowded, the disembarkation only slightly affects the social life in overall. However, Hong Kong is a tiny place and the terminal is close to the residences. If here is ship docking, the transportation near the terminal will be impacted. Especially most of the cruise arrive in the morning, the extra volume of passengers may lead the traffic jam, and cause inconvenience to the local from rushing to school or work.
It is highly emphasized the pollution in environmental impact. As tones of food wastage and sewage created from the cruise ship, it should be handled when docking at a port. Huge volume of pollutants will raise the barrier to a port, thus the environment of the city will be negatively affected. In this case, cruise can cooperate with NGOs or local government, in which donating food wastage as to alleviate the waste.
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