Editorial | Much to enjoy with holidays at home in Hong Kong

With the coronavirus having put paid to overseas holiday plans and few visitors to Hong Kong, there has never been a better time to explore or return to old city haunts in search of fun and relaxation

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Hong Kong is again ours to enjoy and the opportunity should not be squandered. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 10:29pm, 25 May 2020Updated: 11:39pm, 25 May 2020

Hong Kong people like to travel, but the Covid-19 pandemic has put paid to overseas holiday plans for who knows how long. Cancelled flights coupled with the prospect of 14 days of self-isolation at one or both ends of a trip, the risk of infection and closed hotels and attractions would appear to ensure dismal months ahead.

Such thinking is narrow-minded when we live in a city bursting with interesting things to see and do. Instead of longing for the day when flights resume, we should make every effort to explore local neighbourhoods and beauty spots that are too easily overlooked in our haste to get away.

Local tourism does not readily come to mind for Hongkongers, who have myriad travel options and high spending power. Their passport offers visa-free access to 168 countries and territories, the city is strategically located with half of the world’s population within five hours’ flying time and the airport has connections to more than 200 destinations.

Hong Kong being one of the most densely crowded places on Earth gives added impetus to citizens who want to get away; they have been doing so in ever-rising numbers in recent years. When mainland visitors were flocking in, cramped streets and shops gave even greater reason to flee overseas.

But times have changed, protests first reducing the volume of arrivals and now the coronavirus limiting travel links.