Hong Kong is taking significant steps to reshape its tourism sector by enhancing its "One-Stop Multi-Destination" visa policy. This initiative, suggested by legislative council member Yiu Pak Leung, seeks to expand the existing travel privileges originally provided to Shenzhen residents, allowing tourists from Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou to enjoy similar benefits. Implemented on December 1, 2024, these changes aim to attract more overnight visitors to the city, bolstering the local economy.
For years, the "One-Stop Multi-Destination" visa policy has allowed Shenzhen residents to travel to Hong Kong multiple times under one visa, each visit lasting no longer than seven days. Yiu, the chairman of the China Travel Service (Hong Kong), expressed the need to broaden this appeal by adding more cities with strong business ties to Hong Kong, recognizing the substantial economic interactions between these areas.
The push for this expanded policy stems from observed difficulties faced by local travel agencies trying to promote packages to potential tourists. Visitors from Shenzhen are well-acquainted with Hong Kong, often resulting in less incentive for overnight stays. On the other hand, residents from Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, who are less familiar with the city, might be inclined to stay longer during their visits, as Yiu pointed out. "Hong Kong local travel agencies encounter difficulties when promoting travel packages to visitors from neighboring cities, as many from Shenzhen are already very familiar with Hong Kong," Yiu noted.
Separate data from the Hong Kong Immigration Department supports the optimism surrounding the expanded tourist base. By including more major cities, Hong Kong can capture visitors who may not frequently travel to the region but are likely to spend more time during each visit. The potential for increased hotel occupancy rates is notable, especially considering recent drops of about 10% compared to the previous year, making accommodations more attractive to prospective tourists.
Despite the largely positive outlook on enhancing the visa policy, there are concerns about whether Hong Kong can handle the influx of tourists. Detractors of the plan worry it may exacerbate overcrowding, especially during peak seasons, such as the recent Chinese New Year, when many locals already travel abroad. Yiu countered this concern by citing the statistics showing significant outflow during holidays. "During peak travel seasons, such as Chinese New Year, significant numbers of local residents travel abroad, hinting at the potential to accommodate more tourists," he explained.
Yet, challenges lurk on the horizon for the tourism sector. Yiu underscored the necessity for Hong Kong to upgrade its infrastructure to support increased visitor demand. He mentioned the lack of basic amenities, such as public toilets along popular tourist trails, which severely affect the overall visitor experience. "But another urgent challenge is the need for Hong Kong to significantly upgrade its tourism infrastructure," he added.
Besides infrastructural improvements, the local tourism industry faces workforce challenges. Current reports indicate both core positions, such as tour guides, are critically understaffed, and younger generations are showing dwindling interest in pursuing these careers. Yiu elaborated on the dual challenges, highlighting, “on one hand, tour guides and other positions are scarce; on the other hand, local youth’s interest dwindles, leading to significant talent shortages.”
With the growing interest from regional travelers and the opportunity to bolster the local economy, the proposed changes could put Hong Kong back on the map as one of the premier destinations for tourists from the mainland. It's imperative for the city to address these challenges proactively to fully capitalize on the potential influx of visitors and sustain its tourism sector. The interplay of enhanced travel policies, improved infrastructure, and prepared human resources could set the stage for Hong Kong to embrace its role as a regional hub for tourism.