Limiting mainland visitors counters Hong Kong's open doors policy
Shirley Yuen says discouraging mainland visitors constitutes trade protectionism and discrimination, which could damage Hong Kong's economy and its international standing
Few places in the world are so confident and so well positioned for the future as to be able to seriously consider deliberately damaging nearly 5 per cent of the economy. Yet, that is what we face when we contemplate openly discriminating against certain tourists, specifically those coming here on the individual visit scheme.
The government has said it is considering public views on whether to lower traveller numbers amid concerns that the rapid influx of mainland visitors has exceeded the city's handling capacity.
It isn't in our nature to deny people access to our markets, and certainly it would be dangerous if others decided we were not welcome in theirs. The Hong Kong "brand" as a free port is special, and we should be enhancing rather than devaluing it.
Turning away visitors sends the wrong message, particularly to the international community. We should work to increase the draw of our real tourist attractions, so as to encourage more people to stay an extra day.
It is worth noting that the number of mainland visitors to Hong Kong during the Dragon Boat Festival in early June dropped 2.5 per cent, the first decline in five years and a reversal of the recent trend of 20 per cent rises. In four out of the first five months of this year, retail sales fell. This is the first prolonged slump in this sector in five years.
This time, however, the fault is partly our own. Once visitors turn away, it will take a long time to attract them back again. Therefore, any change in the individual visit scheme should be treated with the utmost caution.