Hong Kong Kai Tak Cruise Terminal operator rejects shopper-friendly revamp, stresses role as home port for ships

Worldwide Cruise Terminals says primary purpose of Kai Tak facility is as a home port and temporary stop for boarding, disembarking passengers

‘People are travelling with their families and suitcases, they are not looking to shop at the terminal,’ company’s managing director says

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Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Cruise Terminal was built on the runway of the city’s former airport. Photo: May Tse

Published: 9:00am, 11 Aug 2023Updated: 11:15am, 11 Aug 2023

The operator of Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Cruise Terminal has rejected suggestions to revitalise the site as a shopping centre, after lawmakers and industry players proposed revamping the underused facility to attract more tourism.

Worldwide Cruise Terminals managing director Jeff Bent on Thursday evening stressed that the site’s main purposes were as a home port for ships and a temporary stop before passengers boarded or disembarked.

“People are travelling with their families and suitcases, they are not looking to shop at the terminal,” he said. “They can enjoy meals for free on the cruise, so most of them may not be looking to eat.”

Bent explained that a home port was generally used to help people get on and off ships, compared with ports of call that were surrounded by retail and tourist attractions.

Worldwide Cruise Terminals managing director Jeff Bent has rejected revamping the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal into a more commercially oriented facility. Photo: Handout

The terminal came under the spotlight last week after passengers complained about being stuck there without transport to other parts of the city, while taxi drivers said they had stayed away from the site because of volatile service demand.

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