More mainland Chinese cities may join solo traveller scheme if Hong Kong can handle latest additions, industry leader says after meeting Xia
- Industry leader Simon Wong reveals city of Harbin tipped to join next round of expanded scheme, after last week’s meeting with Beijing’s top man on Hong Kong affairs
- Central authorities to gauge how Hong Kong handles addition of Xian and Qingdao to scheme from next month before considering further expansion, he adds
More mainland Chinese cities may join a scheme allowing their residents to travel to Hong Kong on an individual basis if the latter can handle visitors from two soon-to-be-added locations, a local tourism leader has said after meeting a top Beijing official.
The central government last week announced residents from Xian and Qingdao could apply to visit Hong Kong under the expanded solo traveller scheme starting on March 6.
Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades president Simon Wong Ka-wo said on Monday that Harbin in the country’s northeastern quarter was likely to be added to the scheme, with locations in the southwest and northwest expected to follow.
Sources earlier told the Post that tourists from Harbin and other cities in Heilongjiang province would be added to the scheme in the next phase.
Wong was among those who met Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), on Friday.