City Welcomes First Ship Carrying Overseas Passengers Since Shutdown

Cruise ships return to Hong Kong waters

City welcomes first ship carrying overseas passengers since shutdown

20 cruises expected to visit Hong Kong this month

Hong Kong has welcomed its first cruise ship carrying overseas passengers since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The Spectrum of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean, arrived in the city on Thursday, July 14, with over 1,000 passengers on board. The ship is part of a wave of 20 cruises that are expected to visit Hong Kong this month, marking a significant step in the city's recovery from the pandemic.

The return of cruise ships to Hong Kong is a welcome boost for the city's tourism industry, which has been hit hard by the pandemic. In 2019, before the pandemic, Hong Kong welcomed over 2.5 million cruise passengers. That number dropped to just 200,000 in 2020, and in the first half of 2021, only a handful of cruise ships visited the city.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is working with cruise lines to promote the city as a safe and attractive destination. The HKTB has launched a new campaign called "Hong Kong Welcomes You Back" to encourage cruise passengers to visit the city.

The return of cruise ships to Hong Kong is a sign that the city is slowly recovering from the pandemic. The city is still facing some challenges, but the return of cruise ships is a positive step forward.