Letters | Why reviving tourism in Hong Kong is not just about financial gain

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With the Hong Kong Tourism Board still primarily targeting local residents through campaigns such as spend-to-redeem local tours, it remains doubtful when Hong Kong will finally see its share of international visitors again.

Further, Hong Kong’s reputation as a tourist hotspot continues to decline by the day, with tourists being attracted to other cities offering quarantine-free travel. As a result, the tourism industry’s contribution to our local gross domestic product fell from 4.5 per cent in 2018 to only 0.2 per cent in 2020, and has remained dismal throughout the pandemic.

The 2019 protests and controversy over the Hong Kong national security law have scarred Hong Kong’s reputation as a safe and stable city. If Hong Kong’s tourism industry enjoys a resurgence, foreigners can experience for themselves the city’s vibrancy that’s still ever present, much in contrast to the ominous impression given by the media. This can boost Hong Kong’s reputation internationally, highlighting that Hong Kong is not just a financial hub but also a city with a unique culture and traditions.