ExclusiveTravel scheme could allow Hong Kong, Macau yachts to sail to 6 Greater Bay Area ports
Guangdong provincial government document also shows several routes recommended for leisure, such as Pearl River Delta, Castle Peak Bay
A long-awaited cross-border solo travel scheme will allow yachts from Macau and Hong Kong to easily sail to about six designated ports in the western waters off the Greater Bay Area, with the policy to be finalised as early as this summer, the South China Morning Post has learned.
A Guangdong provincial government document, seen by the SCMP, also showed several routes that were recommended for leisure, such as the waters off Castle Peak Bay, the Pearl River Delta and Fan Lau Kok of the Lantau Channel.
Under the proposal, leisure yachting tours would be allowed in the waters around the Wanshan islands, which are southwest of Hong Kong, and the smaller islands at bays such as Baicaowan, Nanwan, Luanshi Bay and Putouwan to the south of the city.
The document also suggested that yachts with local licences could obtain a temporary mainland vessel nationality certificate to operate multiple times in designated areas for 180 days.
The proposed guidelines limited applicants strictly to Hong Kong and Macau residents holding mainland travel permits in the initial stage, excluding foreigners who hold home-return permits.
A source said that the policy might be implemented as early as this summer – more than a decade after the idea first emerged.