Hong Kong travel bubbles: what conditions should they carry, and is it too late for tourism?
- While officials say six countries have shown interest, industry figures realise Macau and the mainland will be first, and are planning accordingly
- One lawmaker suggests opening door to cross-border business travellers and those visiting family members by early next month
Tourism stakeholders on Tuesday welcomed news that Hong Kong officials had approached 11 countries over long-sought travel bubbles, but once again found themselves with no timeline in sight, leading them to warn the city’s embattled economy was in danger of collapse if border restrictions were not lifted soon.
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau Tang-wah revealed that of the potential destinations contacted by the government, six – Germany, France, Switzerland, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore – had reciprocated interest.
But it would be “some time” before people could freely travel overseas again, pending bilateral agreements on certain conditions, he said.
Tourism lawmaker Yiu Si-wing called for easing border restrictions early next month for business travellers and those seeking to visit family members, then allowing limited tourism with the mainland and other countries to resume at the end of October if possible.
“I hope that special travel arrangements with mainland China and overseas countries can be introduced simultaneously,” he said, referring to the necessary exemptions from quarantine.
He added that Hong Kong could not afford to wait until there were no infections at all before relaxing travel restrictions.