18th October 2024 – (Hong Kong) The Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC) has put forward a proposal to expand the “one trip per week” visit endorsements to encompass all cities within Guangdong province. This initiative seeks to invigorate the local economy by increasing the influx of mainland visitors without escalating parallel trading activities, which have historically impacted local markets and residents’ daily lives.
Fanny Yeung Shuk-fan, Executive Director of TIC, advocated for the province-wide implementation of the “one trip per week” rule during a recent briefing. She reassured stakeholders that the expansion is unlikely to aggravate parallel trading issues, citing shifts in consumption patterns on the mainland which have seen a decrease in such activities.
The proposal aligns with Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee’s recent request to Beijing aimed at enhancing visit endorsements for mainland residents. This includes the reinstatement of “multiple-entry” individual visit endorsements specifically for Shenzhen residents and broadening the scope of pilot cities included in the weekly trip scheme.
According to Yeung, the travel industry must seize this opportunity to retain tourists by introducing innovative offerings, such as half-day in-depth tours that could appeal to visitors looking for a more immersive experience.
Peter Shiu Ka-fai, a lawmaker representing the wholesale and retail sector, has shown support for the “multiple-entry” visa, suggesting a phased expansion to include cities in the Greater Bay Area. He believes that these measures could provide a stable foundation for Hong Kong’s retail sector, which has been keenly anticipating a boost from increased tourist arrivals.
In the first nine months of the current year, Hong Kong welcomed over 32 million travellers, with mainland visitors making up more than 70 per cent of this total, highlighting the significant role this demographic plays in the local tourism economy.
