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Hong Kong on the Up and Up

Last month, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, optimistic with its recovery from last year's SARS-induced drop in visitorship, released encouraging tourist figures. In May, 1.7 million visitors to Hong Kong resulted in an 84 percent hotel occupancy rate. This included 970,000 people from the Chinese mainland, 57 percent of the total. The figures compare favourably with 2002.

This is likely a good start for the Eighth Beijing-Hong Kong Economic Co-operation Symposium, scheduled for September 2-3 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, which is being held in Hong Kong to strengthen ties between the city and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Topics to be discussed at the Symposium include: promotion of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, ongoing developments in the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and business cooperation between Beijing and Hong Kong.

Last year, Hong Kong experienced its third recession in six years. This year, with SARS put behind it, the outlook is brighter. A number of factors made this speedy recovery possible.

With the largest portion of its tourist sector coming from the Chinese mainland, recent travel liberalisation now allows mainlanders unrestricted access to Hong Kong. This promises to be a boon for local industries. Described as an "economic gift" to Hong Kong from the Chinese Government, mainland visitors can travel for the first time on their own itineraries, book airplane tickets and hotel rooms outside of tour group arrangements.

Chinese mainland travel agencies as well as the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) are delighted with the lifting of travel restrictions, viewing it as a broadening of tourism sectors for both regions.

Visitors can now book flexible short term trips, from the Chinese mainland to Hong Kong, for less than 4,000 yuan.

Other factors have had a big effect. The CEPA, which came into effect in January 2004, raises the profile of relations between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong. It allows duty-free exports to the China market for Hong Kong-made products and services, has increased confidence in the region's industrial future, and has had a direct effect on its tourism industry.  

Fronny Chung, the officer responsible for the HKTB Beijing office, credits the natural strengths of Hong Kong as a tourist destination for Hong Kong's speedy recovery.

In 2002, Hong Kong had 16.5 million visitors.  It is a mature tourist destination with a history of attracting international and Asiawide tourists. As a popular stopping-off point for global travellers, Hong Kong and its surrounding territories and islands now offers Disneyland, Discovery Bay and the incomparably beautiful Downtown Hong Kong as some of its major attractions. The city takes entertaining visitors seriously. An explosive light show, A Symphony of Lights, illuminates the skies above Hong Kong harbour for fifteen minutes nightly beginning at 8 p.m.

A special promotion, the "Thousand Citizens Tourism Group of Beijing," focusing on travel between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, will be held during the Symposium.

For further information, see the Hong Kong Tourism Board Web site at: http://www.discoverhongkong.com