Hong Kong’s own Saint-Tropez? Yacht tourism marinas may take 5 years to build, tycoon says

Hong Kong may need up to five years to develop full waterfront infrastructure and must fix a shortage of berths if it aims to become a hub for yacht tourism, a property and entertainment magnate has said.

Lan Kwai Fong Group chairman Allan Zeman outlined his vision after Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced plans in his recent policy address to promote yacht tourism and expand a host of docking sites.

Zeman said authorities would need to enhance waterfront entertainment to make the city attractive enough.

“You’ve got to build marinas with restaurants and maybe clubs and bars like they have in Europe, Saint-Tropez … they attract a lot of very good yachts there,” he said. “[The facilities] would probably take about four or five years, to plan properly, if you plan a few at a time.”

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho, after the policy address announcement, clarified the authorities’ ambitions extended beyond just recreational boating itineraries for visitors.

The government aimed to provide additional docking facilities to help spur high-end spending, such as the buying and selling of yachts, and allow overseas visitors to more easily sail directly to the city for tourism.