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2021 August
Concerted Efforts to Revitalize Hong Kong’s Tourism

Tourism is one of the industries hardest hit amid the repeated resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic globally. The recent rampant spread of COVID-19 variants has added more uncertainties to the already sluggish tourism industry. How should Hong Kongʼs tourism industry get prepared in order to regain its vitality?

 

 

 

Y K Pang: Support from Citizens and Industry are Key to Tourism Recovery

Hong Kongʼs tourism industry is like in a deep freeze after more than a year of the pandemic. In view of the recent easing of the pandemic in Hong Kong, how should the tourism industry get itself equipped and prepared early?

 

Y K Pang, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), said that the HKTB has always been in close contact with the Government and the industry. He stressed that the key to achieving the goal of reinvigorating tourism lies in the support from local citizens and the industry.

 

Tourism recovery starts locally

Looking at the current environment, it is unlikely for Hong Kong citizens to travel abroad for the time being. Therefore, the HKTB decided last year to start with local tourism. “We launched the ‘Holiday at home’ campaign in June last year to boost in-depth local tourism and consumption in Hong Kong to stimulate the local ambience while increasing visitors’ confidence to travel to the city in the future.”

 

Last October, the HKTB launched a program where members of the public could redeem a quota for a free local tour or hotel staycation discounts upon spending a designated amount in physical retail and/or dining outlets. Pang said that the above-mentioned events have not only won the support of the industry, but are also widely welcomed by the public.

 

Pang believes that the events can not only encourage the public to explore Hong Kong’s attractions and experiences, but also enable travel agencies to gradually resume operations through local tourism, while driving consumption chains around the tourism industry.

 

Maintaining Hong Kong’s international profile

According to Pang, although foreign tourists are currently unable to visit Hong Kong, the HKTB is still committed to boosting the appeal of tourism in Hong Kong and maintaining Hong Kong’s international profile. “We have invited nearly 300 foreigners living in Hong Kong or people outside of Hong Kong who are equally passionate about Hong Kong to engage in publicity and promotion through their social networks to encourage overseas tourists to visit Hong Kong in the future.”

 

As some communities in Hong Kong also have wonderful stories worthy of savoring, Pang said that the HKTB has, in recent years, launched local in-depth tours and received great response from tourists. In addition, because the M+ museum will be inaugurated at the end of the year, the HKTB has in the third quarter begun to revamp and focus its promotions on the authentic local cultural aspects of the West Kowloon Cultural District and its surrounding area.

 

Fostering a safe travel environment

Pang believes that tourists will pay more attention to the public hygiene and safety of tourist destinations. Therefore, the HKTB launched the Anti-Epidemic Hygiene Measures Certification Scheme last year to provide unified guidelines on anti-epidemic hygiene measures for tourism-related industries, assist the public in identifying the relevant measures taken by the industries, and boost the confidence of tourists to visit Hong Kong in the future. He said that the HKTB will fully sponsor the application fees for eligible businesses to participate in the scheme. Over 2,300 retail outlets, restaurants, hotels and attractions have been certified so far.

 

Pang stressed that the pace of global tourism recovery is also determined by the rates of vaccination worldwide. “Vaccination is the key to getting tourism restarted, so all walks of life need to actively participate in the vaccination program. I hope that Hong Kong will be able to reboot the tourism industry as soon as possible.”

 

 

 

Jason Wong: Border Reopening is the Key to Tourism Recovery

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC) has been urging the authorities to provide transitional support measures, while expressing its hope for them to speed up discussions with the Mainland and Macao on border reopening and announce the timetable as soon as possible so that the industry can make proper plans for the future.

 

Jason Wong, Chairman of the TIC, said he is well aware that the most important thing at this stage is still to continue to fight the pandemic and effectively adopt proper preventive measures. However, the gradually recovering local tourism activities account for only a very low percentage of the industry, which is not enough to drive recovery. Suspension of border crossing is still the crux of the problem.

 

Looking forward to early border reopening with the Mainland

Wong said that Hong Kong people are worried about travelling to many overseas regions such as Europe and the US where the COVID-19 pandemic is still severe. Also, they need to quarantine after returning to Hong Kong. Therefore, many working Hong Kong people would not consider travelling there. As for the long-discussed Hong Kong-Singapore travel corridor, it is unlikely to be launched until the pandemic eases locally.

 

“With no confirmed COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong for more than a month, travel agencies generally hope the authorities would discuss with the Mainland and Macao for an early border reopening.” Wong added that the Mainland could be of great help in reviving Hong Kong’s tourism industry as it is the city’s main outbound and inbound travel market. Moreover, Mainland tourists visiting and spending in Hong Kong could bring stimulus to the local retail, hotel and F&B industries.

 

Roll out emergency support for industry to tide over difficulties

Wong said that travel agencies and related businesses have almost completely stopped operation, and only tours or alternative services such as overseas online shopping platforms launched by some businesses in the same industry are bringing in sporadic income. “To overcome the industry’s difficulties, the authorities must first announce a clear timetable for border reopening as soon as possible so that the industry can see a ray of hope, and make plans for future arrangements to reopen the border.”

 

In addition, according to Wong, with the end of the fourth round of the Anti-epidemic Fund, the TIC has repeatedly expressed its hope to the Government for the authorities to provide the industry with some transitional support prior to border reopening, such as subsidies and job creation, to help the industry tide over its difficulties.

 

Attract tourists to Hong Kong with new tourist routes

Regarding inbound travel, Wong said that in view of the gradual easing of the pandemic in Hong Kong, there is a chance that tourists will gradually be allowed into the city next year. The TIC and the industry will work with the Hong Kong Tourism Board to attract more domestic and overseas tourists to Hong Kong with brand-new tourist attractions and distinctive tourist routes, aiming to bring in “revenge spending” to benefit the tourism industry and related industries.