'Support Needed To Keep Travel Industry Afloat'

Representatives of the tourism sector are urging the government to open up travel with the mainland as well as other countries to help the industry to stay afloat.

Tourism sector lawmaker Yiu Si-wing told RTHK's Millennium programme that the government should open up the border with the mainland in a limited manner, cancel the 14-day quarantine arrangement, and roll out the “travel bubble” scheme with one or two countries.

He warns that the tourism sector could see layoffs and many companies closing down if the administration doesn't take action.

He said the hotel industry has enjoyed a rebound during this Mid-Autumn holiday,, with theme park hotels are fully booked up, and high-end hotels are enjoying up to 90 percent room occupancy.. But Yiu said he was concerned this wouldn’t last.

A representative of the overseas tourism sector echoed Yiu's proposals.

The Outbound Tour Operators' Association's chairman, Johnny So, told the same radio programme that it is not realistic to reopen the border only when there are no new Covid infections, saying the sector is already in deep trouble.

So said the government should first resume travel with the mainland and Macau, so other regions will be confident to do the same with Hong Kong.