Editorial | Hong Kong must lay out the red carpet to boost tourism sector
Resumption of multiple-entry visas for Shenzhen residents is a start, but much more can be done to attract visitors from mainland China and overseas
Restaurants and retailers were rewarded with an early Christmas gift after the resumption of multiple-entry visas for visitors from Shenzhen. While the travel convenience did result in an uptick in business, it will take much more to see a sustained economic recovery for Hong Kong.
The city must maintain the momentum and improve offerings to visitors from the mainland and elsewhere.
The nightlife hotspot of Lan Kwai Fong was upbeat about the outlook as reservations for the Christmas and new year holidays reached 80 per cent of capacity.
Elsewhere, business was also picking up, with the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades saying there were 8 and 10 per cent increases in bookings from last year on Christmas Day and Christmas Eve, respectively.
Considering Christmas is not a holiday on the mainland and that visitors from across the border are generally spending less than before, the resumption of the multiple-entry visa scheme for Shenzhen residents has nonetheless had a positive impact on the number of arrivals and sales.
Similarly, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Pharmacy also reported a more than 10 per cent rise in business for shops along MTR lines. But sellers of luxury goods continue to feel the pinch.
