The weather is still warm in Hong Kong, but tourism has entered winter.
According to data from the Hong Kong Tourism Board, tourist numbers to the city began to drop in July, by 4.8 percent year on year. In August, the figures plunged by 39.1 percent. Those for September and October are still unknown but are unlikely to be positive because of the sometimes violent ongoing street protests.
100 mln cash incentives to travel agencies
To help revive tourism, Hong Kong announced a new plan for cash subsidies.
Each travel agency will be offered a cash incentive of 120 Hong Kong dollars (US$5) per inbound tourist staying overnight, and HK$100 (US$12.76) per outbound tourist. The subsidy ceiling of each travel agency is HK$60,000 (US$7,655).
"We'll provide a maximum of 100 million Hong Kong dollars in subsidies," Edward Yau Tang-wah, Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, announced on October 23. "We hope that can benefit travel agencies and tour guides directly and help boost related industries such as hotels, airlines, retail and so on. The scheme is expected to start in November and run until March next year."
There are 1,700 travel agents, 60,000 tour guides and 17,000 tour escorts in Hong Kong, according to official data.
Will money bring more tourists?
The subsidies are to be given to travel agencies rather than tourists, so some are wondering how this plan can encourage more tourists to visit Hong Kong.
Local tour guides have different opinions, with some believing the plan will be helpful. "At least this shows the government's support for tourism," one tour guide told CGTN. Others say it won't help much as tourists are reluctant to visit Hong Kong out of concern for their safety.
Is it safe to visit Hong Kong now?
CGTN put the safety issue to random tourists in Hong Kong. A visitor from the Chinese mainland said her parents worried a lot about her, given the chaos in Hong Kong. "They warn me not to go to crowded places or where protests usually happen."
Many agree that the key to reviving Hong Kong's tourism is not more government aid, but the restoration of peace and order as soon as possible.