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With tourists from the two mainland China cities now eligible for individual visits, it is up to Hong Kong to attract them through understanding their travel habits and preferences.
Extending the hours at Lo Wu and Shenzhen Bay border crossings run smoothly, boosting mainland visits to Hong Kong and supporting the local economy
Hong Kong needs new ideas to attract tourists after underwhelming campaigns like ‘Night Vibes’. The success of Harbin, mainland China’s ice capital, offers valuable pointers.
‘We are trying to overcome it, so that people will come back to Hong Kong and experience all of the good things it has to offer’, CEO Clement Kwok says. ‘That will take some time.’
Harbin received a record breaking number of visitors over the Lunar Year holiday last month, but the economy of the northeast region has underperformed in recent years due to weak industrial growth and population outflows.
The number of visitors from China to the city state has very nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, outpacing the recovery in both Thailand and Indonesia – and way ahead of Europe and the US.
Tourism Board executive director Dane Cheng touts fresh incentives such as buy-one, get-one-free flight deals and complimentary tickets to attractions.
Arrival numbers are still way down on pre-pandemic levels, but there are some bright spots on the horizon – as industry insiders ponder who the ‘new’ type of Chinese traveller will be.
Hong Kong’s hotels are looking at sporting, arts, consumer and entertainment events in the year ahead to drive tourist flows into the city
Most visitors say levy will not deter them from flying to Hong Kong, but others in sector are concerned it is coming too soon after city reopens from Covid.
China’s rising number of electric car owners, a shortage of charging stations and other issues caused long queues and left some drivers stranded when millions took to the roads at Lunar New Year.
Harbour City and Times Square owner’s full-year 2023 profit fell 3 per cent to US$767.3 million even as revenue jumped 7 per cent. The company hopes to overcome headwinds through promotional activities with the Hong Kong government.
Residents in Xian and Qingdao say change will not drive more traffic to Hong Kong as present arrangements not much different.
Watchmaker opens new multistorey shops in Central, Tsim Sha Tsui even as government predicts drop in tourism spending in 2024.
Such tours are offered at low prices but push travellers to buy overpriced items such as cosmetics and nutritional supplements.
American domestic politics should not disrupt ‘stabilising’ bilateral relations, says Qian Jin, Beijing’s number two envoy in New York.
Chinese civil aviation authority announcement follows US move to boost weekly air trip volume from 35 to 50.
First change to scheme since 2007 is part of efforts to revive tourism, but analysts caution over setting high expectations of swift economic impact.
Readers discuss Hong Kong’s potential for sustainable eco-tourism, a decline in reading in mainland China, and United Nations reform.
Readers discuss Hong Kong’s strong track record of getting back on its feet, the international media narrative around the city, and what to make of the divine guidance offered by the Che Kung Temple.
Mainland authorities likely to expand solo traveller scheme to help boost Hong Kong’s economy.
Australia’s tourism industry is getting squeezed by visa demands at a time when Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia have waived such rules.
Visa-free access for Chinese tourists to the Southeast Asia countries boosted traffic and signalled a robust revival in travel since Beijing lifted strict Covid-19 restrictions.
Policy sales have been boosted by the reopening of the mainland border, a weakening yuan and the interest rate gap between China and the United States, the Insurance Authority says.
Visa waiver makes city state more accessible but early signs suggest Chinese tourists are not so interested in luxury shopping.
Air authorities look to lay on more flights as travellers who visited the tropical island on a whim find themselves caught out by lack of tickets.
An extended public holiday and an economic rebound following the end of pandemic restrictions boost travel bookings for hotspots including Hainan, Jiuzhaigou and Xian in the Year of the Dragon.
Thailand’s commerce minister said dozens of China’s top influencers will be invited to Thailand for a week in May, with the intent to livestream about Thai goods.
Hordes of curious tourists from China and Southeast Asia are causing a headache for students at Nanyang Technological University, which has imposed an entry fee to manage the influx.