A source leaks to Apple Daily that the central government may expand the Individual Visit Schemes to three more mainland cities – Tsing Tao, Tai Yuan, and Xian – on top of its currently 49 cities. The cities were strategically chosen based on their access to Hong Kong (direct flights available) and their relatively high GDP.
The three cities alone will allow about 19 million people to travel to Hong Kong – which is roughly the population of Sri Lanka!
The expansion might not be a shock to most as despite Hongkongers recent discontent towards mainland tourists, whose travel etiquette and shopping habits have affected the daily life of many, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying expressed at a recent Hong Kong Guangong Co-operation Conference that Hong Kong should “recognise the contribution made by tourism to Hong Kong’s economy” and so should “actively study how to expand our capacity.”
Interestingly, Leung also mentions that “[when considering] the number of visitors, the mode of visits, and specifics, we need to place Hong Kong people’s interests first.”
Do you think this is prioritising Hong Kong people’s interests? Or are we to happily welcome more rude tourists, public pissing and defecating, and mad shopping queues.
