A group of leading cruise consultants have inspected Hong Kong's expanding cruise facilities firsthand with a visit to the region following this year's International Cruise Council Australasia's Masters Conference in China.

Hosted by ICCA Associate Member, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, and Holiday Inn Golden Mile, the agents were given an extensive tour of Hong Kong's existing cruise facilities and a detailed presentation on the destination's future cruise plans.

The briefing included a visit to the peak of Mount Victoria for a bird's eye view of the future Hong Kong Cruise facility, which is under construction on the former Kai Tak airport site and slated to open in 2013.

ICCA General Manager Brett Jardine said the tour provided a valuable insight into a key port in Asia, one of the strongest cruise destinations from Australia and New Zealand.

"With Hong Kong making such a significant investment in its cruise future, this was a fantastic opportunity for some of our top cruise agents to get a firsthand understanding of the region's offerings," Mr Jardine said.

Hong Kong Tourism Board Regional Director Andrew Clark said he was pleased to be able to host the group of 24 agents following the ICCA Masters Conference on the Yangtze River.

"It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase Hong Kong as a destination, as well as its exciting plans for the new cruise terminal, to such an influential group. We anticipate that the new facilities will attract new cruise lines with itineraries that will appeal to Australians, already a major market for the Hong Kong cruising sector," Mr Clark said.

Cruise Council Masters accredited agents are the among the most knowledgeable cruise experts in the industry and receive priority listings in the Council's consumer travel agent search facility on its website.

ICCA Masters delegates at Hong Kong's Ocean Terminal check-in