Relaxed entry rules for Chinese mainland yachts rolled out by Hong Kong last month have paved the way for growth in a sector expected to generate billions of Hong Kong dollars annually once it reaches maturity, the city’s marine department chief said.

Experts, who see yacht tourism as a long-term economic driver, have called for accelerated construction of berths and other supporting infrastructure.

In a recent interview with local media, director of marine for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Wong Sai-fat, said the facilitation measures for Guangdong yachts implemented on June 29 have yielded notable results.

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The new measures include enhancements to the electronic business system, allowing owners or masters of visiting yachts to create personal accounts for one stop submission of arrival information — covering vessel, crew and passengers — that will advance vetting without the need for local agents.

Other measures include allowing visiting yachts to anchor in designated areas without having secure berths at yacht piers or clubs, and making it easier for mainland yacht masters to pass the Hong Kong Waters Local Knowledge Examination by organizing the exam both in the mainland and Hong Kong.

An SAR government spokesperson said the Marine Department will closely monitor the implementation of these measures and maintain cooperation with the relevant authorities to foster a healthy, sustainable, and competitive environment for the development of the local yacht economy.

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The official said that within the first month, nine personal accounts were registered on the electronic business system. Nearly 100 mainland yacht masters took the Hong Kong Waters Local Knowledge Examination or relevant training between June 12 and July 17, with 77 qualified, added Wong.

Wong said Hong Kong ranks second in the Asia Pacific region in terms of superyacht ownership - vessels over 30 meters long. With 1,180 kilometers of shoreline and 263 islands, the city has natural advantages for yacht industry growth, he added.

Citing estimates from multiple research reports between April and June, Wong said a mature yacht economy could generate between HK$4.4 billion ($561 million) and HK$22.5 billion in annual economic benefits for Hong Kong.

Timothy Chui Ting-pong, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, told China Daily on Monday that the economic impact of southbound yacht travel will be significant in the long term, bringing many high net worth visitors to Hong Kong - a trend that will continue to grow as related sectors like yacht sales and club businesses mature.

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However, he stressed that supporting infrastructure, particularly berths, needs faster development. Hong Kong currently has about 15,000 yachts but only a few thousand compliant berths, he said.

The city’s Southern District, close to the South China Sea and with existing shipyards, is well‑placed for yacht tourism, said Chiu. He called on the authorities to add public berths and improve on shore facilities to meet demand and boost Hong Kong's appeal to high‑net‑worth individuals.

Starting mid-June, yachts from Hong Kong and Macao that obtain temporary ship nationality certificates issued by the mainland can freely navigate within the waters of nine mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, namely Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing.

Contact the writer at amberwu@chinadailyhk.com