Letters | What Hong Kong can learn from Japan and the mainland on welcoming tourists

Readers suggest three ways can Hong Kong improve to attract tourists, and explain why many Hongkongers still wear masks.

Hong Kong economy

Letters

Published: 2:30pm, 26 Apr 2024

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Hong Kong is expecting 800,000 visitors from the mainland during the “golden week” holiday that begins on May 1, a 30 per cent increase from last year. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has said that he wants Hong Kong to be a “city of hospitality”. The retail, taxi and restaurant sectors would no doubt be areas of focus.

Japan has long been a popular holiday destination among Hongkongers, and more recently the mainland has also become a draw. The service they receive in these places – whether from waiters, shopkeepers or taxi drivers – is an important factor.

Hong Kong’s hospitality sector doesn’t seem to be able to match that level of service. Understandably, waiting a few tables during peak hours with a big smile without being pretentious is no easy task. It might take some time for waiters here to cultivate that skill. However, with many restaurants shutting down, it does seem that the service has improved at our restaurants. That is a good sign.

As for taxi drivers, perhaps they could take lessons to pick up the basics of Mandarin and English so they can chat with customers a bit and make tourists feel welcome.

Many visitors use the toilets in shopping centres. When they go to the restroom, they don’t need effusive greetings from the staff there. But offering a small smile and tissue paper might be a good practice.

Randy Lee, Ma On Shan

Some of us can’t afford not to mask up

I refer to “Pandemic is over, but the great cover-up continues” (April 4).

For most Hongkongers, masks are no longer necessary. However, for a few like my friends and I, life can be pathetic without masks. Why? We are aged. Our bodies already suffer from multiple problems. If we catch Covid-19 again, it will just add to the list.

I risked not wearing a mask once and my throat felt itchy after half an hour. I hastened to put it on again. I probably can’t get rid of it for the rest of my life.

Jacqueline Kwan, Sai Ying Pun