Hong Kong’s Covid-19 rules have decimated the city’s tourism industry, but there is optimism that recovery is in the offing following the announcement of a dropping of flight bans from nine countries and quarantine relaxations. The changes taking effect on April 1 represent the first stage of a hoped-for opening up to the rest of China and the world in coming months. That is reason for the Tourism Board to have ambitious plans for how it uses a dramatic funding boost from the government, the highlight being celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese sovereignty on July 1. But the uncertainties posed by the ever-mutating virus require an agile strategy that takes into account multiple scenarios while being mindful of the need to allocate financial resources wisely. The board is taking the rosiest of outlooks, predicting 9.6 million visitors in the second half of the year, up from a mere 91,398 for the whole of 2021. With the level of overseas interest in the handover anniversary unclear, officials are focusing on the mainland. But bringing back tourists depends on quarantine-free travel and amid Hong Kong’s fifth wave of the coronavirus, it is impossible to predict when that may happen. With some infectious disease experts anticipating a resurgence in summer and no certainty that tough anti-Covid measures will work, there is every need for backup plans. Hong Kong’s latest Covid-19 rules for travel and social distancing But thinking realistically should not mean adopting a half-hearted approach. The board’s funding for the year has been increased 80 per cent to HK$1.35 billion (US$172.51 million), giving every reason for innovation and creativity. When the latest outbreak subsides, it intends to promote Hong Kong and support the tourism and hotel industries. A renewed effort will be made to further develop the city as a premier convention and exhibition centre. Large-scale events are planned for the handover. Keeping Hong Kong safe from the disease has been the government’s priority and it has some of the world’s toughest preventative regulations. But those rules have had a devastating impact on the tourism industry. Before the coronavirus emerged in 2020 and the city was rocked by social unrest the previous year, it was one of the world’s leading tourist destinations, with 65.15 million visitors in 2018. The vast majority were from the mainland, so centring promotional efforts there makes sense. But officials should also prepare to welcome back international visitors and connect them with attractions in Greater China. Travel has intrinsic value that will never go away and people are eager to move beyond the pandemic. Hong Kong should be ready. Improved vaccines and treatments offer hope for greater resilience and protection. But for all the optimism, there also has to be realism.