【Event Recap】Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area Forum Successfully Held: Jointly Advancing the Future of Yacht Economy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--qJ4zjF2E4

Mr. CF Yu, Founder and Director of the Travel & Leisure Group, delivered a keynote speech on "The Future and Challenges of Yacht Free Travel"

On Friday, March 6, 2026, the Hong Kong Yachting Advancement Association successfully hosted the forum "Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area: Jointly Advancing the Future of Yacht Economy" at Aberdeen Marina Club. The event gathered government representatives, industry leaders, and distinguished speakers to explore Hong Kong’s role as a regional yacht economy hub and collaboration opportunities.

Mr. YU Chun Fai (left) with the Travel & Leisure Group team.

Industry Leaders Unite for Cross-Region Cooperation

The forum opened with welcoming remarks from Mr. Tommy Ho Wai Lok, Chairman of the Hong Kong Yachting Advancement Association. Mr. Ho highlighted Hong Kong’s unique strengths in route connectivity, professional talent, and international market promotion amid ongoing enhancements to maritime tourism infrastructure across Greater Bay Area cities. He stressed the association’s commitment to bridging public-private partnerships, streamlining cross-border navigation procedures, and easing regional sailing restrictions to build a sustainable yacht industry ecosystem.

Guest Speakers Share Industry Insights

The forum featured prominent speakers addressing key topics such as yacht industry policy directions, urban tourism integration, and prospects for yacht free travel across Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao. From policy frameworks and infrastructure to market promotion, speakers analyzed current developments and offered forward-looking recommendations to foster a more integrated Greater Bay Area maritime tourism network.

CF Yu: Propelling "Yacht Free Travel" to New Heights

Mr. CF Yu, Founder and Director of the Travel & Leisure Group, delivered a keynote speech on "The Future and Challenges of Yacht Free Travel", emphasizing its pivotal role in the Greater Bay Area's high-end tourism landscape. He explained that yacht free travel extends beyond leisure, serving as a vital economic connector that stimulates tourism and consumption chains along coastal cities while boosting related sectors like vessel maintenance, dining hospitality, and marina management.

Mr. Yu positioned Hong Kong as an ideal "regional yacht tourism hub", advocating for membership systems integrated with digital booking platforms to create a seamless yacht travel ecosystem for easier cross-city route planning and berthing. He urged stronger government-industry collaboration to optimize customs and procedural arrangements, paving the way for genuine yacht free travel and unlocking new maritime tourism potential in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

Future Outlook

The forum concluded with dynamic and constructive discussions, with attendees affirming Hong Kong's hub status in Greater Bay Area yacht economy growth and expressing optimism for policy enhancements and regional synergies. Moving forward, we will continue partnering with the Hong Kong Yachting Advancement Association and stakeholders to advance yacht tourism and free travel initiatives, collectively creating a world-class Greater Bay Area maritime experience.