Australia woos Hong Kong tourists to help restore pandemic-battered tourism industry, banks on pent-up demand

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Hong Kong was a top 10 international market before Covid-19 for Tourism Australia, which expects numbers to jump if quarantine requirements are relaxed

For the financial year ending in June 2023, Tourism Australia is targeting 121,000 visitors from Hong Kong – about 43 per cent of the pre-pandemic number

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The Pacific Explorer makes its way to dock at the overseas passenger terminal on Sydney Harbour on April 18, 2022. Photo: AFP

Cheryl Arcibal

Published: 10:00am, 10 Jul 2022

Australia is training its sights on tourists from Hong Kong amid an anticipated recovery in tourism as Canberra welcomes visitors to its shores after two years of Covid-19 curbs.

Visitor numbers from Hong Kong remain at a fraction of pre-pandemic levels, but Tourism Australia expects that to change if and when the city relaxes quarantine requirements.

“Hong Kong was a top 10 international market before Covid-19 and the first to achieve its tourism spend goal,” said Andrew Hogg, executive general manager for eastern markets and aviation with Tourism Australia, noting that reducing quarantine requirements in the city to seven days from as many as 21 is likely to release some pent-up demand for travel.

Hongkongers averaged four international trips per year pre-pandemic, Hogg noted. “Australia ranks high in awareness and intention among other destinations,” he added. “Australia’s offerings continue to match the expectations of high-value travellers in Hong Kong under travel restrictions.”

A guide leads tourists on camels through the surf at Birubi Point in Anna Bay, Australia on June 12, 2022. The country saw tourism’s contribution to GDP decline by almost 50 per cent during the pandemic. Photo: AP

Tourism Australia has mounted a number of recent campaigns to promote its destinations and offerings to Hongkongers.