‘Beijing to make it easier for solo travellers from mainland China to visit Hong Kong’
- Mainland authorities likely to expand solo traveller scheme to help boost Hong Kong’s economy
- Peter Shiu, the Liberal Party chairman and who represents the retail sector, said more solo travellers would help city prosper
Beijing could allow more mainland Chinese tourists to visit Hong Kong by expansion of its solo traveller scheme as it “responds proactively” to the city government’s request for more cross-border tourists, the Post has learned.
The news on Wednesday from a government source came after No 2 official Eric Chan Kwok-ki said at the weekend the city was in talks with mainland authorities on widening the scheme to allow more residents of second- and third-tier cities to visit Hong Kong, with the possibility of a multiple-entry arrangement.
The scheme allows people from some mainland cities to visit Hong Kong for leisure on an individual basis.
Mainland tourists have the reputation of being big spenders because of their fondness for the city’s wide range of luxury goods and duty-free shopping.
But they are now said to be looking for budget experiences instead of splashing out on high-end goods after the end of coronavirus restrictions and the reopening of the border.
That has meant city sectors dependent on tourism are still yet to see the expected economic benefits of their return, despite a resurgence in the number of mainland visitors over the Lunar New Year holiday.