News Analysis: HK takes multi-prolonged approach to attract visitors

Hong Kong's Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Gregory So expressed confidence in the outlook of the tourism industry in the long run, saying the upcoming highlights could help to draw visitors to Hong Kong.

After attending a public event on Wednesday in Ngong Ping 360, one of Hong Kong's most unique attractions, So told the media that factors including bad weather and typhoon in early August might have reduced visitors' intention to come.

"Looking forward, we have many great events to come, including a string of sports activities, which should be attractive to tourists," the secretary said, although the number of tourist arrivals in Hong Kong sees a downward trend in the first half of August after last month's increase.

Thanks to the return of visitors from Chinese mainland, the number of visitors to Hong Kong climbed for the first time in 13 months, according to the statistics from Hong Kong Tourism Board, which revealed that in July, mainland visitors' arrivals recorded a 2.2 percent year-on-year increase.

However, mainland visitors from January to July fell 8.9 percent to 24 million, and the total number of visitors fell 6 percent to 32.2 million, comparing the same period last year.

To refresh Hong Kong's hospitable image and attract more visitors, Hong Kong authorities, alongside with members of the local tourism industry, will take a multi-prolonged approach by launching a number of large-scale events and offering sales discounts.

Peter Lam, chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, (HKTB) said the appreciation of Japanese yen, unstable condition in Europe and the lowering of Hong Kong's hotel room rates could help to attract visitors.

He added that the total number of tourist arrivals in 2016 would see a drop of 1.8 percent as expected.

In 2015, the number of visitors from around the world received by Hong Kong was 59.3 million, representing a decline of 2.5 percent over 2014; the number of mainland visitors was down 2.9 percent.

Choi Wing Hung, senior economist of Bank of China (Hong Long) Limited, also said that the number of mainland visitors to Hong Kong through the Individual Visit Scheme has seen year-on-year increase each month since March 2016.

The number of package tour from mainland also climbed in June, which, he said was a sign of mainland visitors regaining their confidence to go sightseeing in Hong Kong.

However, Josheph Tung, executive director of Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, was not exceptionally sanguine about the environment.

Tung said the rise in the number of visitors in July was good news, but he also expressed concern that the riot happened in February and a series of anti-parallel trading protests have already had a negative impact on Hong Kong's tourism image. Therefore, he called on the whole community to remold Hong Kong's hospitable image.

The government has committed to promoting Quality Tourism Services (QTS) Scheme, which was launched 15 years ago, has engaged in more than 1,200 local businesses, and more than 8,300 premises have become QTS-accredited merchants, covering retail shops, restaurants and visitor accommodation.

Besides, the government has added funding to the HKTB this fiscal year to carry out worldwide promotions, and to extend the QTS network.

In the following months, HKTB will hold a series of mega events including Hong Kong Cyclothon, Hong Kong Formula E, and HK Wine & Dine Festival. These highlights are expected to attract at least 200,000 people to join.

Choi Wing Hung said there are now many choices of destinations for mainland visitors, who are looking forward to trying out new travel experiences. To genuinely recover, Hong Kong's tourism industry needs to keep developing unique and creative enough attractions to win the heart of tourists.

Tung pointed out that the mode of travel has changed among mainland visitors, and local industry is seeking to adjust its structure. He said, for instance, more middle-to-high end products and local brands have emerged in the market, which is favorable to the industry's development in the long term. Enditem