Hong Kong: Total Visitor arrivals in 2019 amounted to 55.9 million, subsidy plans to promote tourism

Travel Biz News —

Tourist arrivals in Hong Kong in 2019 declined 14.2 percent year-on-year to nearly 56 million as travelers shunned the city which has been rocked by violent protests since the month of June.

According to a statement issued by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), the full-year provisional visitor arrivals in 2019 amounted to 55.9 million..

“Visitor arrivals in the first half-year of 2019 recorded an increase of 13.9 per cent but the number of visitors started to fall in July due to social incidents and the decrease worsened in the following months, leading to a decline of 39.1 per cent in the second half of the year. Full-year arrivals recorded a year-on-year decrease of 14.2 per cent,” Hong Kong Tourism Board said.

“All source markets recorded a decline of visitors in 2019. The Mainland and short-haul markets recorded a drop of 14.2 per cent and 18.7 per cent respectively, while long-haul markets and new markets fell 12.7 per cent and 13.5 per cent respectively. Overnight visitors in 2019 also declined by 18.8 per cent to 23.76 million.”

HKTB Chairman Dr YK Pang said Hong Kong’s tourism industry has faced exceptional challenges over the past year.

“The HKTB has already launched promotions in a number of short-haul markets, including India, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand,and we will soon extend those promotions to other markets such as Japan and long-haul markets. Meanwhile, we are working tirelessly on a major global promotion that will rebuild Hong Kong’s tourism image and help our tourism industry recover,”he added.

Hong Kong Tourism Board launched a brand-new tactical campaign named “Hong Kong is ON” early last month to promote over 500 attractive offers on a dedicated online platform, covering flights,hotels, dining, retail and attractions to attract visitors to Hong Kong. The offers will be constantly updated to encourage spending from both visitors and locals to benefit different sectors in Hong Kong.

Earlier, the government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) unveiled new subsidy plan to promote tourism amid social unrest in Hong Kong.

According to the subsidy plan, travel agencies in Hong Kong can receive a government subsidy of up to 50,000 Hong Kong dollars for organizing eco-tours to promote tourism industry badly affected by current social events.

Edward Yau, secretary for commerce and economic development of the HKSAR government, said in a press statement that the scheme will begin on Jan. 1, 2020 and initially run for six months. Travel agencies will be provided 100 HKD ($12.85) for each customer they book on designated green tours.

The government had earlier announced a plan to give travel agencies 120 HKD ($15.4) for each overnight visitor they attract to Hong Kong.

Travel and tourism is one of the sectors suffering the most in Hong Kong due to violent protests since June, 2019.

January 16, 2020

Photo source: Travel Biz News