Hong Kong Protests: Tour guides see worst business in two decades

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As the unrest in Hong Kong takes its toll on the city's pillar industries, tourism is no exception. Many Hong Kong tour guides complain of their worst summer season in years, with tens of thousands of people cancelling their trips. And some say things will likely get worse. CGTN reporter He Weiwei has more.

ALE WONG HONG KONG TOUR GUIDE "I've been working as a tour guide in Hong Kong for over 20 years, I've never seen this place so empty."

Repulse Bay on Hong Kong's southern shore is one of the island's treasures, an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, and a popular tourist resort. While the beaches were usually full, especially in late summer, they're not now. And longtime tour guide Ale Wong says she's losing business.

ALE WONG HONG KONG TOUR GUIDE "Since early August, I haven't had a single tourist. In August of last year, I had to work over 12 hours a day, sometimes till midnight, because summer is usually the peak season for tourism. But this year, a lot of trips were cancelled, due to the unrest here."

In contrast to the empty beach, this parking lot is full, but with vacant buses from different travel agencies.

A CHEONG TRAVEL AGENCY BUS DRIVER "My bus has been parked here for two straight weeks without any work. I've been a bus driver for over ten years, it's the first time I've ever seen something like this."

According to Hong Kong's Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, tourist numbers to Hong Kong have taken a U-turn since mid-July.

Figures have dropped to nearly half of what they were last year during the 15th to 20th of August.

That came after at least 31 countries issued travel warnings to Hong Kong, including the US, UK, Australia, and Japan. And industry insiders say, the following months could get even worse.

ANN YU LIHUA, CHAIRPERSON HONG KONG PROFESSIONAL TOURIST GUIDES GENERAL UNION "Travel bookings are made two to three months in advance, so I think the impact will be more clearly seen in September and October, as we've seen very few bookings since June or July in trips, hotel reservations and restaurants."

Tourism accounts for about 5 percent of Hong Kong's overall GDP. If the unrest continues, tourism experts fear the industry may suffer more. HWW, CGTN, HK.