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Letters | When tourists come to Hong Kong, they’re not panda-hunting
Readers discuss what the city should city do to attract visitors, and the suggestion that restaurants stay open round the clock
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I refer to the op-ed, “Hong Kong’s tourist attractions are all around us” (February 13).
The observation that a strong Hong Kong dollar and the diminished allure of luxury brands for tourists have resulted in a drop in retail’s share of tourism receipts is spot on. Visitors are increasingly seeking deeper cultural experiences, such as tasting locally crafted snacks like the famous egg waffles and other street food.
They are also interested in purchasing extremely local branded apparel which isn’t sold widely abroad, particularly brands that originated in Hong Kong. The “shopping paradise” strategy needs a significant rethink that focuses on local appeal.
The massive investment in the “panda economy” is highly questionable. Tourists from the Greater Bay Area or Greater China find no novelty in seeing pandas in Hong Kong, and overseas tourists prioritise more unique cultural experiences over panda-hunting in Ocean Park.
Ocean Park should be encouraged to forge a new path by offering innovative and creative experiences that distinguish it as a destination not only for tourists but also a hotspot for locals.
It is high time Hong Kong positioned itself to attract high-value tourists from Persian Gulf countries. This requires a concerted effort to develop fully fledged Muslim-friendly services and eateries. Currently, halal options in Hong Kong are extremely limited. We should offer halal versions of Hong Kong food staples, such as dim sum and baked goods, and improve the general labelling system for halal products, including beverages and packaged goods.
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