‘Bold’ idea floated to use Hong Kong’s Kai Tak cruise terminal for arts events Hong Kong’s new tourism chief has floated using the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal to host art performances when no ships dock, as the schedule shows the facility will not receive vessels for about five months next summer. But lawmakers expressed doubts about the idea which was suggested to the official during a radio interview, pointing to a lack of catering facilities and previous transport chaos at the terminal, although a tourism sector leader said hosting mini-concerts and exhibitions there could be worthwhile. The facility is owned by the government and operated by Worldwide Cruise Terminals. The blueprint calls for live performance regulations to be relaxed to allow them to take place in cinemas and factory buildings. But the cruise terminal was not included as an option. Law said on Saturday that hosting arts performances at the terminal was a “bold and imaginative” idea that her bureau would consider. The terminal, located on the former Kai Tak Airport’s runway, opened more than 11 years ago but has been criticised over poor transport links and underused facilities. Summer is typically the off-peak cruise season in Hong Kong and the terminal is expected to remain vacant from May to September next year, according to the site’s calendar. This month, the terminal is scheduled to accommodate 12 cruise ship calls. The terminal has a floor area of nearly 190,000 square metres. A plan released by architecture firm Foster + Partners in 2014 shows some “waiting areas can be converted into a venue for performances, events and exhibitions”, enabling the building to be used all year round. The terminal’s website lists events hosted there since 2013, including a fan meeting of popular boy band Mirror last May. Law is known as a big fan of band member Ian Chan Cheuk-yin. Other events included car launches, exhibitions and forums. But lawmaker Adrian Pedro Ho King-hong, a member of the legislature’s economic development panel, expressed pessimism about holding concerts at the terminal, pointing to past transport chaos when cruise ships docked, as well as a lack of retail and catering facilities. He also expressed doubts the terminal could meet the standards concertgoers would demand for sound quality. Fellow lawmaker Doreen Kong Yuk-foon said the terminal could act as an alternative venue for organisers struggling to find suitable sites. She said the facility could focus on events with less demanding transport and catering needs, such as car shows and product launches, which only involved invited guests and relied on third-party catering. Timothy Chui Ting-pong, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, said mini-concerts, exhibitions and events were feasible, bringing more visitors to the terminal. He said he had faith in transport links as bus operators could step up services, similar to recently introduced arrangements when cruise ships used the terminal. Jeff Bent, managing director of Worldwide Cruise Terminal, told the Post on Sunday that the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal was a “purely leisure venue” and said it was “far busier” than others such as the Hong Kong Coliseum. He said the terminal was used for 161 days last year, including 10 event days and 13 days as a film set. Law floated the idea a day after President Xi Jinping told Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu in Beijing that the city should realise prosperity through “innovation”. In a social media post, Law said her bureau was deeply encouraged by Xi’s calls and had learned the great responsibility placed on them. She said she would unite and lead the sector to seize opportunities brought about by the central government’s policies benefiting Hong Kong. The terminal is part of the Kai Tak development area, which includes Kai Tak Sports Park, which is set to open in the first quarter next year. Law also revealed that multiple negotiations were under way between event organisers and the park’s operator, “with a few parties showing interest in the same time slots”. But she also said the city should not appear desperate. “Give us some space. I know everyone is nervous, hoping that this or that [superstar] could come,” she said. https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3290797/hong-kongs-kai-tak-terminal-may-host-art-performances-peak-season (ICE HONG KONG)

Fonte notizia: South China Morning Post