For instance, guests who can present they’ve spent HK$1,000 (US$128) purchasing or eating in Hong Kong might redeem a HK$100 voucher to make use of at any collaborating resort, and even trade it for coupons to spend at companion eating places or retailers.

There are various advantages to such a scheme. For native companies, it might improve revenues, construct shopper loyalty and even generate jobs. As a part of a tourism marketing campaign, the scheme might assist improve Hong Kong’s fame as a vacationer vacation spot, aiding efforts to spotlight town’s range and tradition.

And it might make use of the Octopus card system, which is extensively used for public transport and funds. To forestall overcrowding, we might begin by launching pilot schemes for the spring and autumn seasons, that are much less busy instances.

However it will at greatest be a brief enhance to Hong Kong’s tourism enterprise – giveaways won’t assure the trade’s long-term viability and competitiveness. Hong Kong should have a transparent aim and imaginative and prescient for its tourism trade, with priorities on high quality fairly than amount, and distinction over imitation.

Macau and the mainland could have extra intensive markets and decrease prices, making them extra inexpensive as vacationer locations than Hong Kong. However Hong Kong can keep its premium standing by elevating its requirements for high quality and repair, from its inns and eating places to its points of interest and occasions.

Now not belle of the ball? Hong Kong faces stiff competitors for tourism

Moreover, Hong Kong must differentiate itself from its rivals by emphasising its tradition, selection and distinctiveness. It will permit Hong Kong to draw guests who search greater than purchasing and playing. Hong Kong ought to make these attributes the inspiration of its tourism id.

One other strategy is to spotlight Hong Kong’s ethnic and non secular range, which displays each its colonial historical past and function as a world metropolis. Individuals of varied backgrounds and origins dwell in Hong Kong and have contributed to town’s social and financial enlargement. Hong Kong additionally includes a various spectrum of religions and faiths, which coexist harmoniously.

Guests can expertise the number of Hong Kong by visiting the various websites of worship, together with the Taoist Man Mo Temple, the Anglican St John’s Cathedral, Kowloon Mosque, the Joyful Valley Hindu Temple and the Ohel Leah Synagogue.

Fostering the native artists and abilities who contribute to Hong Kong’s cultural and inventive scene is one more technique. Hong Kong must encourage creativity, together with in music, movie, trend and design.

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Cantopop: a style for Hong Kong that went world amongst music lovers

Cantopop: a style for Hong Kong that went world amongst music lovers

Hong Kong’s tourism trade requires elementary reforms and a radical overhaul to outlive and flourish post-Covid. To draw and retain guests, Hong Kong should prioritise high quality, distinctiveness and originality whereas leveraging its tradition, range and heritage. By doing so, Hong Kong can restore and regain its standing because the pre-eminent vacationer vacation spot in Asia.

Adrian Ho is a Legislative Council Election Committee constituency member, the founding father of Save HK Fb Group and a member of the Central Committee of the New Individuals’s Social gathering