There must be a limit to mainland visitor numbers

The city's economy was stagnant in 2003, before a new policy allowed mainlanders to visit Hong Kong as individuals. The resulting increase was dramatic. The number of mainland visitors rose from 6.8 million in 2002 to 12.25 million in 2004 and to 28.1 million last year, the Tourism Board reports.The total is forecast to rise further this year.

But Hong Kong was not well prepared for such an increase, either physically or mentally. A sense of frustration, and negativism towards mainland visitors has spread.

Our city is already congested enough with its population of seven million, but now we have an additional 200,000 to 300,000 visitors every day. Our ability to absorb this flood has been pushed to the limit. The tourists have outgrown the increase in the number of hotel rooms, pushing up prices.

This has made Hong Kong too expensive for many visitors. Mainlanders make up 70 per cent of all arrivals, which is not conducive to promoting Hong Kong as a cosmopolitan city.

We welcome tourists, but it would be better if they came from a variety of places to help develop a more healthy tourism culture.

Our city landscape has been altered to meet the needs of mainland visitors, who are interested in shopping and more shopping. There are simply too many stores selling expensive watches, jewellery, cosmetics and milk powder.

Other shops have been driven away, either to the outskirts or upper floors, or out of existence because of skyrocketing rents which only benefit landlords.