Hong Kong welcomed the arrival of its first international cruise ship today after the adjustment of the city’s anti-epidemic measures.

Carrying more than 300 passengers, the Silver Spirit reached Victoria Harbour via Lei Yue Mun and berthed at Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Kevin Yeung, Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Joe Wong and representatives of the Tourism Board gave souvenir bags to the arriving passengers.

One of the passengers, Janice Thirlwell, said people were delighted to be in Hong Kong and were not worried about the COVID-19 restrictions.

“We are happy Hong Kong is opened so that we can finally get in. And we are looking forward to seeing everything,” she added.

Mr Yeung then delivered a speech at the welcoming ceremony on the cruise ship. He said he was pleased to see this cruise ship sail through Victoria Harbour this morning with a water salute.

He said not only does it signify the return of Hong Kong to the international cruise map, but it also marks another key milestone in the recovery of the city's tourism industry.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has not discouraged our determination to maintain Hong Kong's position as a premier tourist destination. We have positively taken the opportunity to introduce new and upgrade existing tourism offerings of a diverse nature. Meanwhile, with the progressive and orderly resumption of normal travel with Mainland China, cruise lines would tap into the big source market of Mainland China, in particular the Greater Bay Area,” he added.

The Tourism Board has already lined up at least 82 ship calls from at least 16 cruise lines in 2023.