Letters | Hong Kong is still worth visiting. Let’s sell it better

Readers discuss the price obstacle to the promotion of Hong Kong tourism, and a frequent travel scheme for Shenzhen residents

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A view of the harbour from the Hong Kong Palace Museum in West Kowloon. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Published: 2:30pm, 18 Jan 2024

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I refer to the letter, “What Hong Kong should ask itself after New Year’s Eve transport chaos” (January 9). Your correspondent’s view that Hong Kong should ponder why mainland visitors prefer not to stay overnight in the city resonated with me. I would also like to share my recent experience of travelling with my mainland friends to Shanghai and Hong Kong.

We spent three days in Shanghai, visiting the Disneyland there. There were many accommodation options nearby, from hotels to guest houses. We chose a guest house with a Disney theme and shuttle services to and from Disneyland, which cost us about 200 yuan (US$28) per night. The food in Shanghai, while slightly pricier than in other mainland cities, was still cheaper than in Hong Kong.

When we visited Hong Kong, the accommodation options were fewer but the prices much higher. We spent about HK$1,000 (US$128) per night on a four-star hotel room one third the size of our room in Shanghai.

I had all along believed Hong Kong to be a shopping paradise, thanks to our tax-free regime. So I was shocked when my friends told me that brand-name shoes in Hong Kong, for example, were either similarly priced or more expensive than those from online shops on the mainland. They reminded me that while Hong Kong is tax-free, high operation costs make goods more expensive. Meanwhile, although the mainland imposes taxes on luxury items, many people now buy brand-name products from official online stores, which require no rent expenditure and little manpower.

However, I disagree with your correspondent that Hong Kong does not have enough attractions. Our city has much to offer – museums, theme parks, beautiful country parks. Hong Kong just needs to step up efforts to make these destinations known to tourists.