Hong Kong wins Cruise Magazine Poll

In the yearly Best Cruise Destinations poll of British cruise magazine Dream World Cruise Destinations, Hong Kong was voted among others in the Best Destination Experience – Independent Sightseeing and Best Turnaround Destination sections.

In 2007 total ship calls of cruise liners to Hong Kong exceeded 1,110, while total cruise passenger throughput in 2007 was more than 620,000, a surge of 52% over that of 2006.

The Hon James Tien, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, said, “These awards prove that Hong Kong’s position as a cruise destination is again recognised by the industry and tourists. The HKTB has been working with the Government and travel trade in the promotion of cruise tourism and striving to help cruise companies develop itineraries with Hong Kong as the home port.”

“In the past two years, three biggest cruise companies in the world, Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd and Star Cruises, have made Hong Kong their home port and reaped much success. In the coming two years, we will continue to work closely with the Government and cruise terminal operators to attract more cruise companies to base in Hong Kong to further foster cruise business,” Mr Tien added.

Cruise companies that have chosen to homeport in Hong Kong offer regular and seasonal voyages in 2008 and 2009, including SuperStar Aquarius, SuperStar Libra and SuperStar Virgo of Star Cruises, Rhapsody of the Sea of Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd, Costa Allegra and Costa Classica of Costa, all of which reflect confidence of cruise operators in Hong Kong’s cruise market.

Hong Kong has been voted as one of the destinations in the categories of Best Destination Experience – Independent Sightseeing and Best Turnaround Destination in the Dream World Cruise Destinations poll. The criteria of Best Destination Experience – Independent Sightseeing are based on independent sightseeing experiences of cruise tourists in the destinations, while Best Turnaround Destination evaluates standards of facilities to and from the piers, airports, hotels and sightseeing spots.

Dream World Cruise Destinations is a British cruise magazine targeted at professionals in the cruise business, including executives of cruise companies and travel agents. The poll was held the 13th time this year, which voted the best destinations in 13 categories, including facilities and operation of piers and ports, tourism appeal and hospitality, through questionnaires completed by cruise professionals around the world.

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