Letters | Hong Kong can ease the tourist crush in Tung Chung: just do the math

The government may have failed to foresee the overcrowding problem, but it must act soon

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Since the official opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge on October 23, many more mainland tourists have been visiting Tung Chung to shop, eat and sight-see. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Published: 5:06pm, 8 Nov 2018Updated: 5:05pm, 8 Nov 2018

I refer to the report “Is Tung Chung the new Sheung Shui? Tour influx from Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge sparks fears quiet area may become cross-border town” (November 5).

As a Hong Kong citizen, I am glad to see that the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge has come into operation because it really brings a lot of conveniences to many people. However, last Sunday, more than 100,000 visitors passed through the Hong Kong port of the 55km mega bridge, with many of them pouring into Tung Chung to shop, eat and sight-see. This led to crowded stores, long bus queues, and noise and litter, causing local residents to complain.

To relieve the inconvenience brought to local residents, I have two suggestions. First, implement a limit on the number of visitors every day. Tourists who want to visit Hong Kong via the mega bridge should book online or through travel agents ahead of time, except in case of emergencies. This will help to control the number of tourists who arrive in Hong Kong at the same time.

Besides, the Tourism Board should arrange for more public transport options that would take visitors to other popular spots such as Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui, so the crowds do not stay concentrated in Tung Chung, which is the closest to the port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.

If steps along these lines are not taken, it would be difficult to avoid congestion and its effect on the daily life of local residents. This may even worsen the relationship between Hong Kong people and mainland visitors.