Tourism Commissioner Angelina Cheung on Friday said a number of cruise terminal operators had expressed interest in taking over the Kai Tak facility since the government's launch of an open tender last month.

Speaking on RTHK’s Backchat programme, she emphasised that the new operator had to be able to hold events at the terminal when it wasn't hosting any cruise ships.

“Of course, cruise deployment is always a priority. It is a cruise terminal, so we will always give priority for cruises coming to Hong Kong. We welcome all cruises from around the world,” Cheung said.

“During the low season or when there's... no cruise ship coming, we expect the new operator to consider holding more events at the terminal.

"And that's why in this tender, we have consolidated the management, and we will include the public spaces, including the rooftop garden, as well as two podium gardens on the second floor... under the management of the operator."

Cheung also said Kai Tak Sports Park has attracted some cruise passengers to Hong Kong for concerts and sports events.

“Our policy is actually a plus tourism idea. That means everything plus tourism. You could bring out the tourism angle,” she said.

“This kind of packaging we are doing is not only between the terminal and the sports park but everything across the city.

"We have so many attractions and there could be a lot of packaging with attractions, with theme parks, and also with arts events, cultural events or great performances throughout Hong Kong.

"We are doing a lot of these promotions and collaborations between different parties so as to enhance the attractiveness of Hong Kong.”

Bids will be welcome until May 22, and Cheung said the new operator would need to start work six months before mid-2028 before the contract of the current operator expires.

By then, the new operator should have the full team in place, and this would include a head manager, a cruise terminal manager and a leasing manager, who will oversee commercial leases and events.

The future operator and manager of Kai Tak Cruise Terminal will have to comply with four new key performance indicators – the number of annual ship calls, the number of annual non-cruise-related events and visitors brought by them, as well as the occupancy rate of nearby commercial areas.