Hong Kong residents fed up with influx of mainland Chinese tourists call on government to stop them visiting more than once a month

Groups raise concerns about growing number of package tours in To Kwa Wan, Kowloon City and Hung Hom

Better use should be made of Kai Tak cruise terminal, say Hongkongers who’ve had enough of crowded streets

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Tourists from mainland China crowd around a store on Bailey Street, in Hung Hom. Photo: Edmond So

Published: 7:59pm, 13 Jan 2019Updated: 10:52pm, 13 Jan 2019

The number of mainland Chinese tourists allowed to visit Hong Kong must be capped, concern groups and residents in districts frequently disturbed by them said on Sunday.

The government was also urged to divert some tourists to the Kai Tak cruise terminal and its facilities, which the groups said had not been used enough.

On Sunday, the groups complained residential areas such as To Kwa Wan, Kowloon City and Hung Hom had seen an influx of tourists since the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, which connects the city to mainland China, opened in October.

Residents said the increase had disrupted their lives, and the already narrow streets had become difficult to navigate. Tour buses were parked outside office and residential buildings, blocking access, they said.

A community activist uses a map to illustrate the problems tour groups are causing in Hung Hom. Photo: Edmond So

“Ideally, it would be best to set a quota on the number of Chinese tourists allowed to visit,” said Nette Tsang Wing-tung, a community officer for concern group Synergy Kowloon.

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