ExplainerWill the expanded solo traveller scheme be ‘shot in the arm’ for Hong Kong? The Post finds out if tourism is poised for a revival
- Starting from May 27, residents from eight more mainland cities will be able to apply for the Individual Visit Scheme to travel to Hong Kong
- Expansion of scheme is the second in three months, with one expert saying it is likely to change tourism sector’s fortune
Hong Kong is looking to host more tourists from remote regions in mainland China, such as Inner Mongolia, Tibet and Xinjiang, after Beijing announced it would expand a solo traveller scheme for a second time within three months.
Starting from May 27, residents from eight mainland cities will be able to apply for the Individual Visit Scheme to travel to Hong Kong. They no longer need to join any group tour and can stay for no more than seven days at a time.
The Post explores whether changes to the scheme will be a game-changer for the city’s tourism sector.
1. What is the scheme about?
Launched in 2003, the scheme allows tourists from designated mainland cities to visit Hong Kong on their own. They can choose from single-entry or double-entry visas valid for three months or a year.
First open to Guangdong cities, namely Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Foshan, the scheme was credited with helping the financial hub recover from the economic downturn following the Sars epidemic.
2. Which new cities are included?
The National Immigration Administration on Saturday announced the inclusion of eight more cities, adding to the existing 51.