Social News
Written by: Ouyang Dehao
2020-10-18 13:08
Last update date: 2020-10-18 13:12
Hong Kong’s new crown pneumonia epidemic is showing signs of easing. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Qiu Tenghua, announced last Thursday (15th) that he has reached a principled agreement with Singapore to implement the bilateral "air travel bubble" arrangement to resume passenger traffic. Passengers do not need to undergo compulsory quarantine. The itinerary is also unlimited.
The Director-General of the Tourism Board, Cheng Dingyi, attended the TV program "Speak Clearly" today (18) and said that after the implementation of the tourism bubble, the number of people coming to Hong Kong will not increase suddenly.
However, he believes that if the measures and reception arrangements of the two sides are done well, the confidence of the residents of the two places will increase, and the figures will gradually rise.
He also pointed out that a few days ago, he had accepted a media interview in Singapore and learned that Singaporeans are willing to travel or visit friends.
He believes that compared with other countries, Hong Kong has never closed the city, and has not implemented the "foot ban" such as restricting citizens to go out. Life is as usual, which is helpful to Hong Kong's overseas propaganda.
Cheng Dingyi predicts that after the implementation of the tourism bubble, the number of visitors to Hong Kong will not increase suddenly, mainly business people and tourists who must come to Hong Kong.
(Profile picture)
It is expected that the number of people will not increase sharply after the implementation of the tourism bubble
Cheng Dingyi said that although the number of Singaporeans visiting Hong Kong last year was less than 450,000, he pointed out that no place in the world has ever successfully arranged tourism bubbles.
Take Australia and New Zealand as examples. Not long after the outbreak, the two countries have begun to discuss the possibility of establishing a tourism bubble.
Only after the outbreak period, the "tourism bubble" arrangement between the two countries was officially implemented until last Friday (16th).
However, the "tourism bubble" in Australia and New Zealand is not complete and is a "one-way tourism bubble".
According to the current arrangement, Australian passengers are not allowed to enter New Zealand; however, passengers flying from New Zealand to Australia are exempt from inspection and must be quarantined at the hotel at their own expense after returning home.
Cheng Dingyi hopes that the government and Singapore will gradually implement the details to help open up other regions.
He also pointed out that Singapore and Hong Kong have similar city sizes and high medical standards, and that Singapore is the best place to start a tourism bubble.
Cheng expects that after the implementation of the tourism bubble, the number of people coming to Hong Kong will not increase suddenly. They are mainly business people and tourists who must come to Hong Kong. "The beginning is not wrong, and the number will not be too large." But he believes that if the measures and reception arrangements of both parties are done Fortunately, the confidence of residents in the two places has increased, and the numbers will gradually rise.
Cheng also pointed out that he had been interviewed by the media in Singapore a few days ago and learned that Singaporeans are optimistic about the tourism bubble and are willing to travel or visit friends.
The HKTB also promoted the second and third waves of "100 Reasons to Miss Hong Kong" through social media overseas. He said that the current results are good, and many Singaporeans miss Hong Kong’s food, scenery and theme parks. The plan can match the travel bubble, which is just right.
Cheng Dingyi: The fact that Hong Kong does not seal the city is good for our image
Speaking of the "Eleventh Golden Week" at the beginning of the month, Macau's visitors dropped by 80% compared to the same period last year.
Cheng said that there were difficulties in the initial stage of customs clearance. Even the inter-provincial and inter-city tourism in the Mainland has only recently started. After a number of discounts have been introduced, domestic tourism has returned to about 70%.
"But this one is ready to start, step by step."
Cheng Xu pointed out that in the past we might have thought that only larger countries or regions could promote local travel, but the HKTB started the "Tourism in Hong Kong" project in April to help Hong Kong's economy and encourage Hong Kong people to go to the countryside.
He believes that the plan is helpful to Hong Kong's overseas publicity, because Hong Kong has never closed the city compared to other countries, and there is no requirement for citizens to regulate going out and live as usual.
"Hong Kong has not closed the city at all. It is very important for us to promote overseas. Hong Kong has a strong atmosphere. The citizens will continue to participate in activities as usual, which is good for our image."
▼Reopening of premises and relaxation measures starting on October 2▼
+9
+9
+9
Tourism Bubble | Singapore's 4-day tour of nearly 10,000 yuan before the epidemic is twice expected to attract a kind of tourists
Travel Bubble｜Government research and testing without the need for doctors to refer the industry is expected to save at least 200 yuan
Travel Bubble｜Chen Zhaoshi: Will discuss setting up a laboratory at the airport to help shorten the testing time
01News
Singapore Tourism Bubble Tourism Development Board