Letters | Where is our uniquely Hong Kong panda character?

Readers discuss the need for Hong Kong-specific tourist experiences, a happy outcome to a mountain emergency, and regulation of arcade machines

Reading Time:3 minutes

Panda sculptures are displayed at Hong Kong International Airport for the launch of a panda-themed exhibition on December 2. Photo: AP

Published: 11:30am, 18 Dec 2024

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Panda tourism was raised in the chief executive’s latest policy address as a way to boost Hong Kong’s tourist appeal, at a time when visitor arrivals in our city have not recovered to pre-pandemic levels.

Although the arrival of locally born twin panda cubs, as well as two pandas from the mainland, has been touted as a quick fix for tourism, we should tread carefully to allow Hong Kong to truly benefit.

The principal concern is the lack of a genuine cultural link between pandas and Hong Kong. Magnificent as they are, giant pandas are emblematic of mainland China’s wildlife heritage and many were born in Sichuan. While Hong Kong has hosted pandas since 1999, our panda residents are not intrinsically tied to our cultural narrative, unlike dim sum and Cantonese opera. Further, most of Hong Kong’s visitors are from the mainland and already familiar with pandas. For them, the novelty factor of seeing pandas here is questionable.

Another concern relates to possible overexposure. While pandas are appealing, not every panda-themed attraction can sustain the public’s interest. Too many images of pandas might lead to aesthetic fatigue, as they become background noise, rather than a unique tourist draw.

To address these concerns, we need to understand that today’s tourists seek authentic, place-specific experiences. One solution is to create a uniquely Hong Kong panda character. For instance, this character could dress in Hong Kong-style attire, interact with local crafts or feature in a Hong Kong film. Local creators could develop panda-themed cultural products like comics and limited-edition handicrafts, so that pandas are not just animals on display, but characters woven into Hong Kong’s storytelling fabric.