Travel agencies in Hong Kong eye growth in high-speed mainland China business via tour packages
Popular firm predicts 20 per cent surge in its cross-border profits due to link
Eager for their slice of the high-speed rail pie, Hong Kong travel agencies scrambled on Sunday to cash in on tour package offerings aboard the new cross-border link.
China Travel Service’s deputy general manager, Ng Hi-on, said the firm had organised eight high-speed rail tours to and from various mainland destinations with more than 300 people joining.
“The tickets were sold out very quickly, just within two days,” Ng added, noting inquiries had poured in before the formal launch. “We received very good response, especially for the trips beyond Guangdong province such as to the city of Guilin and to Fujian province. They were highly popular.”
Wing On Travel CEO Lanny Leung said on the first day it had only introduced three outbound tours: to Shenzhen, Dongguan and Shantou. Together the excursions drew more than 100 visitors.
Leung believed certain medium-haul destinations such as Guilin, Wuhan and Xiamen would be popular among Hongkongers.