Spark Deep Dive: Hong Kong’s tourism blueprint hopes to bring billions to the economy

Hong Kong has rolled out a much-awaited blueprint for the tourism industry. It includes strategies that aim to boost the economy by HK$120 billion (US$15.5 billion) and employ 210,000 people in five years.

The document released in December lays out four development strategies, 16 implementation directions, 59 action plans and 133 measures to reinforce Hong Kong’s role as a hub for international tourism.

“Tourism was paralysed during the pandemic. Following the pandemic, tourists’ travel patterns have changed. We have to reform the industry,” Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui said last month.

The “Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0” will promote measures related to culture, sports, ecology, and mega-events. Themes such as pandas, horse racing, cruises, yachting, and nature have all been suggested.

Law said Hong Kong will strengthen its partnerships with mainland and regional ports to develop the cruise sector. It will work closely with the industry and cruise companies for support. It will also explore the possibility of having cruises stop at green spots in the city.

Another initiative includes expanding a solo traveller scheme that allows residents from select mainland cities to visit Hong Kong individually. There are also plans to launch overnight trains with sleeper carriages, raise duty-free limits and bring back multiple-entry visas for Shenzhen locals.

Travel Industry Council chairman Tommy Tam Kwong-shun said Beijing’s supportive policies have encouraged more mainland residents to visit Hong Kong. He also credited the rising number of mainland travellers to the city’s giant pandas and upgraded facilities, such as the soon-to-open Kai Tak Sports Park.

In December, the Security Bureau launched a facial recognition pilot scheme for people working or living on Chung Ying Street in the Sha Tau Kok border town. The scheme allows people to enter or leave the area without showing any documents.

The bureau aims to ultimately open the street up for tourism. The shop-lined spot is jointly governed by Shenzhen and Hong Kong authorities.

In addition, sources say the number of people allowed to enter Sha Tau Kok for ecotourism will be relaxed.

The city is also working to attract new tourists from the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

The government had previously promised more efforts to provide information in Arabic at the airport. It seeks to expand halal-friendly hospitality and dining options. It also urged taxi drivers to offer service information in the language.

Staff writer

1. Using the information in the news, which of the following is true?

(1) The tourism blueprint aims to boost the economy by HK$120 billion and employ 210,000 people in 10 years.
(2) The initiative will focus on things like pandas, horse racing, cruises, yachting, nature and mega-events.
(3) As part of the initiative, there will be stricter rules on the number of people who can enter Sha Tau Kok.
(4) There are plans to get more Arabic guides and halal-friendly dining options.

A. (1), (2) only
B. (2), (3) only
C. (2), (4) only
D. (1), (4) only

2. Explain at least TWO ways in which Hong Kong aims to boost tourism in the near future.

3. Using the information in the news, list TWO of initiatives from the blueprint that cater to mainland Chinese tourists.

1. What is being shown in the cartoon?

2. Using the news, cartoon and your own knowledge, what might be the advantage of releasing the tourism blueprint?

duty-free: products sold without local or national taxes. They are often found at airports, encouraging tourists to buy gifts or luxury goods.

ecotourism: a form of nature-oriented tourism. It is generally defined as being less impactful on the environment. It also focuses on conservation and environmental education.

halal-friendly: halal is an Arabic word that means “permissible” in English. It is a type of dietary restriction most common among Muslim communities. Foods such as pork and alcohol are not allowed. Halal meat comes from animals that are slaughtered in a special way.

1. C

2. Hong Kong plans to promote and make money from measures like horse racing, cruises, and large events, as well as its giant pandas. It will also focus on schemes related to ecotourism.

The city will try to attract more Middle Eastern tourists with more accessible food choices and Arabic services and translations.

3. Some elements of the blueprint allow for easier entry and exit for mainland Chinese travellers. For example, the facial recognition pilot scheme allows those in the Sha Tau Kok border town to enter or leave the area seamlessly.

There will also soon be overnight sleeper trains from the mainland and revived multi-entry visas for Shenzhen residents.

Finally, Hong Kong aims to become a hub for cruises from the mainland, as the city will work closely with cruise companies and mainland ports.

1. The cartoon shows a person writing a blueprint. The blueprint shows a sign that says “arrivals”, likely referring to the arrival area of the airport, and shows the Hong Kong skyline in the background. The people drawn in the blueprint jump off the page and become real.

2.Publicising the blueprint makes these plans known not only to Hongkongers but also to potential tourists. If people in mainland China and the Middle East hear of these initiatives, they may be more interested in coming to Hong Kong and make concrete plans for a visit.