Since that was you intent, I think you have done it. Technically a nicely exposed image, showing people sitting on the steps while others were enjoying their dinner beside the river. Nothing really distracting from what you wanted to show.
Using foreground / background, leading lines etc are composition techniques to help you to show what you wanted. If there was a boat where the lines lead to, then the story may be different. Depending on how you do it, it may add to the number of activities happening in boat quay, or your story may change and the main subject may become the boat.
What the seniors are advising you is how to make your image 'stand out' / 'creative'... If that was your intent, then you probably have to think it through and define your intent more specifically, like what the seniors always say: What is the subject? What is the story you want to tell? Then walk around and see how to use the various composition techniques to achieve your intent and vision.
I also feel that the writeup required for Critique Corner section is useful. As you think through writing it, many times you probably would have answered your own question of whether is it effective.
https://www.clubsnap.com/threads/how-to-do-a-short-writeup-for-critique.275677/
Thanks for sharing!