Mainland Chinese tourists in Hong Kong complain about hotel charges for toiletries packed in plastic after ban on throwaway items comes into force
- Differences in prices and provision of plastic-packed toiletries and other items spark anger among some visitors from across border
- Others say lack of items such as plastic tubes of toothpaste not visitor-friendly and appealed to hotel managers to better inform guests of changes
Mainland Chinese tourists have vented their anger on social media over differences in prices and provision of amenities in Hong Kong hotels after a single-use plastics ban came into effect, with some accusing operators of “profiteering”.
Other tourists found the lack of items such as plastic tubes of toothpaste and bottled water in some hotels not visitor-friendly and appealed to management to better inform guests of the changes in advance so they would not be caught off guard.
But sector representatives defended the new arrangements and insisted any price increases were because of the cost of alternatives. They added that hotels were obliged to comply with the new rules on throwaway plastics.
Prohibited items included plastic toothbrushes, small bottles of toiletries and water in plastic bottles.
Hotels and guest houses can offer non-plastic alternatives or charge guests for items in plastic containers. But the law did not set restrictions on prices.
A Post comparison more than 10 days after the ban started found some city hotels required guests to buy toothpaste, combs, shower caps and razors, among other items, at different price ranges.
Some others offered alternatives free of charge.
