Who wants to be a tour guide any more? Hong Kong not ready for wave of sightseers, industry warns
- Anxious tourism leaders want government to give clear idea of plans to fully reopen to visitors as Covid-19 curbs ease
- Hong Kong had about 11,000 travel industry practitioners in July, compared with 18,500 in 2019
Hong Kong’s tourism industry leaders want the government to provide a clear idea of its plans to fully reopen the city, warning they will not be able to cope if hordes of visitors return.
After almost three years in the dumps as the Covid-19 pandemic hit tourism hard, the industry has seen thousands of lay-offs and numerous tour agencies close down. Even tour coaches left unused for years need to be repaired or replaced, one veteran of the business says.
Fanny Yeung, executive director of the Travel Industry Council, said one of the biggest issues when Hong Kong eventually removed curbs on travellers would be the shortage of workers as many had left the industry.
“They really don’t know if they should move on or return,” she said.
Hong Kong eased its rules for visitors last month, doing away with compulsory hotel quarantine and introducing a “0+3” system allowing arrivals to undergo three days of medical surveillance at home or in a hotel. They are free to move about the city but are not allowed to visit places such as restaurants and bars.