Hong Kong Building Cruise Terminal

Government officials in Hong Kong revealed plans for a $308 million cruise terminal—in response to expected billowing demand in the region's cruise market—that should be functional by 2012. The new terminal will be built on a portion of the city's former Kai Tak airport, with as many as two berths to receive the largest cruise ships. "The development of new cruise terminal facilities is important for Hong Kong to capture the growth of the cruise industry in the Asia-Pacific regions, and sustain its development as a regional cruise hub," said Stephen Ip, secretary for economic development and labor. Three cruise operators—Royal Caribbean Cruises, Carnival Corp. and Star Cruises—all are set to have regular cruise callings in Hong Kong by next year.