There is talk of mass lay-offs in Hong Kong once the government wage subsidies end. The market expected Cathay Pacific to act as it did when it did not apply for the third round of the employment support scheme. At least one major travel agency has put its staff on unpaid leave , with others warning of thousands of people becoming jobless when the pandemic support dries up. The travel and tourism industry has long been an economic driver for Hong Kong. It employs more than 250,000 people in areas such as hotels, travel agencies, coach drivers and catering, with interest rising after China introduced the Individual Visit Scheme. Mainland tourists used to account for about 80 per cent of the city’s arrivals, but they have nearly disappeared since the protests, and pandemic-related border closures. In recent months, many shops in Sheung Shui, Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui have shut down, as Hong Kong, ranked No 1 in the world in 2019 for the 10th year in a row in terms of inbound tourist numbers, saw arrivals suffering a 92.4 per cent year-on-year drop from January to September. Even so, some residents might be more comfortable now, because the crowds of mainland travellers had brought inconvenience and confusion to local neighbourhoods. Locals are generally welcoming towards tourists, just as Hongkongers find when they visit Japan, Thailand or elsewhere. However, we have a situation where many locals no longer welcome mainland visitors because they are seen to challenge the values of the city. For example, many traditional stores have in recent years changed to pharmacies, cosmetics or jewellery shops – to cater to mainland demand. To have such shops operating in tourist areas like Mong Kok and Causeway Bay is understandable, but their presence in residential areas affects the local quality of life. This is why Hongkongers oppose the influx of mainland visitors . The pandemic is a global disaster that has forced many countries to shut their borders, with tourism and aviation worst-affected. However, it also gives us a chance to reconsider Hong Kong’s tourism policy, especially towards the mainland. How do we balance economic concerns with those of residents? It is the government’s responsibility to answer this question. Jack Chung, Sham Shui Po