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Opinion | How the ocean economy can put the wind in Hong Kong’s tourism sails

  • The city’s location makes it ideal for hosting water sports events. In particular, sailing could attract ultra-high-net-worth visitors

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Boats take part in the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club’s annual Around the Island Race on November 20, 2022. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Hong Kong, surrounded as it as by the sea, has a 1,000km coastline and 1,651 sq km of marine water with 263 islands within its boundaries, providing unrivalled natural conditions for water sports in the region. However, the captivating beauty of the city’s waterscape and opportunities in the ocean economy have largely been under-discovered and underestimated.
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Half of the world’s population can reach Hong Kong by flight in less than five hours. This strategic location makes the city an ideal hub for sporting events and competitions.

With subtropical climate and warm seawater year-round, it is natural that water sports have long been part of people’s lives in Hong Kong. Among them, sailing has the greatest potential to become the main driver of the ocean economy and a significant creator of employment, as well as enhance the city’s image internationally.
Promoting Hong Kong as a regional centre for sailing can greatly complement the government’s positioning of the city as “a leading hub for family offices”. Sailing is a popular sport among ultra-high-net-worth families. Hong Kong as a sailing centre could offer these families private time to bond and a range of dining, lodging and entertainment options that could make for enjoyable “bleisure” stays.

The finance, import/export trade and real estate industries account for over 50 per cent of the city’s gross domestic product, and are also major providers of high-paying jobs. It is hard for young people to find a job with steady income, flexible hours and a predictable career path in other industries.

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Sailing can help fill this void if the industry develops further in Hong Kong. Sailing boat builders, agents and sailing clubs would add headcount in areas such as boat design, trade, marine services, financing, insurance, crew management, race management, training, legal services, food and beverage and event organising.

People enjoy their lunch in Causeway Bay, with the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club in the background, in December 2022. Photo: Yik Yeung-man
People enjoy their lunch in Causeway Bay, with the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club in the background, in December 2022. Photo: Yik Yeung-man
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