Hong Kong Tourism Board Takes Centre Stage as Cruise360 Australasia Headline Partner

August 11, 2026 - CLIA has welcomed Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) as its Headline Partner for September’s Cruise360 Australasia conference, putting Asia’s World City in the spotlight as a leading international cruise hub.

The partnership expands on HKTB’s longstanding presence at Cruise360 Australasia and follows the recent launch of its ‘Only in Hong Kong’ global tourism campaign.

As Australasia’s biggest annual cruise industry event, Cruise360 will return to the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney on 17-18 September with the theme “Future Ready. Client Ready. Cruise Ready”. The event is designed to put delegates on course for success in a new era of cruising and will include a packed two-day conference program and an extensive exhibition showcasing CLIA cruise lines, destinations, industry suppliers and CLIA Executive Partners.

CLIA Executive Director in Australasia Joel Katz said HKTB’s debut as Headline Partner would highlight the city’s rise as one of the world’s great cruise gateways.

“Asia has rapidly become one of the top international cruise regions for Australian and New Zealand travellers, and Hong Kong is proudly among the most vibrant cruise destinations in the world,” Mr Katz said. “We’re delighted to welcome Hong Kong Tourism Board to the stage as Headline Partner for Cruise360 Australasia, and we look forward to introducing more CLIA travel advisors to opportunities that Hong Kong presents for their cruise clients.”

HKTB Director for Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific, Karen Macmillan, said the presence at Cruise360 Australasia, alongside broader trade-facing activity supporting the new ‘Only in Hong Kong’ campaign, reflects HKTB’s commitment to working closely with the travel trade to convert growing interest into visitation.

“The continued growth in visitor arrivals from Australia and New Zealand, up 20% and 13% respectively in the first half of 2026, reflects the strong appetite for travel to Hong Kong,” Ms Macmillan said. “As one of Asia's leading cruise hubs, we see significant opportunities to grow cruise tourism and encourage travellers to extend their stay to experience the many attractions and experiences that can only be found in Hong Kong. We look forward to showcasing how Hong Kong can add value to every cruise journey, whether as a port of call, pre-cruise stay or post-cruise destination.”

Cruise360 Australasia will combine a global industry perspective with practical professional development, helping travel advisors understand major demand, capacity, product and consumer trends. This year’s event will reflect a market in which clients are more informed and digitally enabled, aiming to give travel advisors the insights and confidence needed to remain trusted, relevant and commercially successful.

Limited tickets are available exclusively to CLIA members via Cruise360 Australasia 2026.