‘It doesn’t make sense to keep them out’: Restricting budget trips to Hong Kong goes too far, say travel industry figures and mainland tourists

Hong Kong tourism figures and mainland tourists have warned against a proposal to limit the number of budget tour groups to Hong Kong after residents in one neighborhood complained of crowded streets, but the problem appears to be less of an issue after the new measures.

Industry representatives and tourists are responding to a call by Li Huiqiong, Hong Kong’s sole representative to the country’s top legislature, to stop opening its doors to mainland budget tour groups, warning that the situation will only last during the “Golden Week” in May. worsened.

DAB chairman Lee told a district council meeting earlier that cheap tourism, often associated with forced shopping, could damage Hong Kong’s image and undermine the government’s vision of developing Hong Kong as “Hong Kong”. cultural Center.

A mainland tour guide leading a group of about 40 Sichuan tourists called the suggestion “ridiculous” on Saturday.

“Mainland tourists are only traveling in their home country,” said the woman, who did not want to be named. “Hong Kong people can also visit the mainland at any time. It doesn’t make sense to keep them out.”

Visiting To Kwa Wan found that the area was not as busy as last weekend after the Tourism Industry Authority and the police implemented crowd control measures.

Some residents expressed dismay at the hundreds of tourists lining the street waiting to be seated at a restaurant. Photos circulating online showed tourists from other parts of the city eating on the street or outside public toilets.

Hong Kong tourism chief vows tougher restrictions amid complaints against tour groups

Outside the same restaurant on Chong’an Street on Saturday, members of the tour group entered as soon as they got off their cars. About half a dozen police officers were stationed outside the restaurant and across the street to assist with crowd management. Industry authorities and restaurants also send people to help guide tour groups.

Buses are prohibited from waiting outside the restaurant and can only pick up tourists at a parking lot a few blocks away.

They were asked to leave the restaurant through the back door after 30 minutes and board the bus immediately. Tour groups have only a few minutes to gather members and are asked to form two queues to allow enough space for pedestrians to pass.

Fei Hengli, a 68-year-old tourist from Sichuan province, said she was satisfied with a day trip to Hong Kong, part of a 12-day journey through southern China, which cost 4,000 yuan (HK$3,500).

“It wasn’t expensive, but the experience was fair enough that none of us felt abused,” she said. “It would be great if people of all income levels could visit Hong Kong. It’s a great city to visit.”

Feng Liangmei, a tourist in her 40s from Chongqing, said she hoped people would be more patient with mainland tourists, especially the elderly.

“Some elderly tourists may appear a little uncivilized and have bad hygiene habits, but some people can’t do anything because of their medical condition,” she said. “But these are isolated incidents.”

Huang Meilun, chairman of the Tourism Industry Council, said that residents should not judge group travel by the cost of the group travel, but by the way the group travel is managed and the services provided.

“It will take a while for the market to figure out what is the most appropriate pricing for group travel,” she said. “But no matter how much the tour costs, they’re delivering a real travel experience, and tourists know exactly what their itinerary and meal plans are.”

Hong Kong chief calls for stronger crowd control on mainland tour groups

Cui Tingbang, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourist Association, said it would be impractical to regulate budget travel and might infringe on consumers’ rights.

“Instead of such radical solutions, we should address these issues rationally and peacefully,” he said, adding that cheap travel would help sustain the transport and hotel industries.

The Tourism Industry Authority stressed on Friday that there are no plans to ban cheap travel.

Two restaurants in To Kwa Wan that cater to mainland tour groups said in the past week that in view of the complaints, special measures would be taken, such as allowing customers to eat for 30 minutes, introducing a special reservation system and keeping the number of reservations in line with regulations. their abilities.

The HAD has also pledged to hire regional tourism ambassadors from April to help control crowds.

Despite the changes, some To Kwa Wan residents remain wary of tour groups.

“I don’t think the situation has improved much, the streets are still crowded. I often try to avoid this area, especially when I’m with my two kids,” said Peggy Mak, a housewife in her 30s.

Mainland Chinese tourists travel to Hong Kong to enjoy low-cost tourism

“Many mainland tourists are still spitting and smoking on the street. It’s bad for hygiene and cityscape,” said Eddy Chan, a 32-year-old shop assistant. Six fully restored, connecting Hong Kong with destinations outside Guangdong Province. The MTR Corporation estimates that more than 30,000 passengers leave Hong Kong on the line throughout the day.

The airline offers 164 flights per day, 22 of which are direct to popular destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Changsha.