Tourism Trade Warns Of Tough Times Over Protests

The tourism sector has painted a grim outlook because of the protests sparked by the extradition controversy, saying there's been a sharp drop in the number of short-haul visitors.

Chairman of the Travel Industry Council, Jason Wong, said on Thursday that between 30 and 50 percent of tour groups from nearby countries and regions, such as Japan and South Korea, have been cancelled so far.

Bookings for the peak summer season were also down from previous years.

Wong said that means no work for some tour guides, and staff at some travel agencies have been forced to take unpaid leave.

He warned that if the extradition crisis continues, both tourist and business-traveller numbers would head south in the second half of the year.

"If the situation continues, it would damage Hong Kong's image to tourists, and it will take extra effort to promote" the city, Wong told RTHK's Maggie Ho.

The trade hopes Chief Executive Carrie Lam will unveil measures in her upcoming policy address to help them weather the storm.

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Edward Yau, also expressed concern about the outlook for the tourism trade.

He said authorities expected a double-digit drop in hotel occupancy rates in July.

The Travel Industry Council also noted that a number of countries have issued travel advisories for their citizens travelling to Hong Kong in light of the ongoing protests.

Wong urged the government to act to break the deadlock, although he gave no specific suggestions.

But some tourists RTHK spoke to around the city said they weren't too troubled about the protests.

“I am nervous about some of the protests around the airport and around transport, because sometimes it makes it harder for us to get on with our flight schedule and stuff like that. I’m not terribly worried about physical safety,” one man said.

“If bricks are being thrown, if you have the common sense to turn around, you should be fine.”

A mainland tourist said he has confidence the police can handle the situation.

“I have confidence in Hong Kong police, I don’t feel my personal safety is at risk. But it did affect our consumption mood and activities a bit,” he said.

“As a mainland tourist, I think Hong Kong people can have their own demands, as long as it’s expressed in a legal way, but you can’t harm others’ rights, such as our right to travel and Hongkongers' right to live a normal life,” he added.

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