Vijay Verghese

Opinion | To bring tourists back, Hong Kong must focus on what makes it authentic and unique

The city’s tourism torch-bearers must stem the mediocrity creep, reach out to a global audience and work with Cathay Pacific Airways to recreate the magic

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A general view of the Temple Street night market in Kowloon. Hong Kong does not need to morph into an adult Disneyland. It is the genuine article with rough edges and an attitude. Photo: Getty Images

Vijay Verghese

Published: 8:15am, 27 Apr 2023Updated: 12:09pm, 27 Apr 2023

As Hong Kong struggles to entice tourists back, there is much head-scratching about what needs to be done. Bureaucrats are abuzz with talk of new attractions. The feeling is the city needs to be gussied up, Botoxed and set to work like some wrinkle-free circus elephant with a new bag of tricks.

This sort of thinking is muddled and misses the point. Hong Kong, like any other city, has to evolve to meet the needs of its residents. But this does not mean blind emulation of places like Dubai, successful as they may be.

The emirate was a desertscape until it went on a massive construction spree, plonking down hotels, show-off buildings and outlandish attractions. As the national airline attempted to turn the place into a long-haul stopover hub, people needed good reasons to visit.

Hong Kong has no need to morph into an adult Disneyland. Travellers will not stampede to Bruce Lee country for indoor skiing or Phuket-style crocodile shows.

It possesses a rich living heritage. It is a vibrant city at the crossroads of the East and West. It offers fast-paced commerce, neon-draped skyscrapers, intriguing Cantonese culture fraught with verbal missteps, can-do people, unrivalled food and a remarkable history. It has mountains, fine beaches and arguably the world’s best transport.