Hong Kong’s cultural tourism market is warm this spring. According to the latest figures released by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, about 12.2 million visitors visited Hong Kong in the first quarter of this year, up 9 percent from the same period last year. A series of grand events such as the Art Basel exhibition and the international rugby sevens match have been held one after another. Various fancy tourism scenes such as“Hong Kong tour with Hong Kong dramas” and“Outlying Islands tour” have become popular, the global city showcases the unique charm and attractiveness of Hong Kong as a tourist destination and the vibrant cultural and tourism industry in the city.
The prosperity of the cultural tourism market in Hong Kong can not be separated from the strong support of the central government and the mainland. Last year, the central government launched a series of measures to benefit Hong Kong, the mainland to Hong Kong and Macao“Individual Tour” the number of cities twice expanded to 59 cities, all provincial capitals have been included; Mainland resident passengers from Hong Kong to the mainland carry-on baggage allowance and then“Plus”, from 5000 yuan to 12000 yuan; … Guangdong province, Shenzhen residents travel to Hong Kong, “A visa multi-line” policy implemented… . … a series of measures have provided strong support for the development of Hong Kong’s cultural tourism industry.
The prosperity of Hong Kong’s cultural and tourism industry is also inseparable from the active innovation and continuous efforts of the SAR government and the industry. The SAR government and the tourism industry should grasp the three key words of“Recognizing change, responding to change, and seeking change” to promote the upgrading of the tourism industry, so that Hong Kong will gradually realize the transformation from“Attracting tourists” to“Retaining tourists.” The potential of tourist consumption has been further released, bringing about the actual effect of“Flourishing economy”.
Only by“Recognizing changes” can we accurately grasp the new trends and new features of tourism development. Today, “The needs of tourists have changed”, has become a consensus in the Hong Kong tourism industry. From the perspective of age structure, the number of young people visiting Hong Kong has increased, while the number of elderly people has decreased; from the perspective of travel mode, “Group tours” have decreased, while“In-depth tours” have increased; from the perspective of consumption, “Shopping” scenes have decreased, the consumption of entertainment has increased.
Entertainment spending by mainland visitors to Hong Kong Rose 61.3 percent last year to HK $4.19 billion, with exhibitions, theatre and concerts becoming a new trend, according to figures released by the Hong Kong Tourism Board. The change of market demand has prompted Hong Kong to adjust its strategy from the traditional“Shopping + tourism” to“Deep tourism”, “Special tourism” and“Experience Tourism”.
– “Contingency” will further enhance the overall level and competitiveness of the industry. How Will Hong Kong respond to these changes? On the one hand, the HKSAR Government actively implements the concept of“Hong Kong tourism everywhere”, integrates Chinese and Western elements to cater for different seasons, festivals and events, and plans in-depth tourism products with a more“Hong Kong flavor” On the other hand, the whole people to participate in building a“Hospitable city”, do the corresponding tourism supporting, to provide more intimate service for tourists.
In the first half of this year, nearly 100 events were held in Hong Kong, covering culture, arts and creativity, sports, major conferences and exhibitions. The HKSAR Government will announce the event arrangements in advance to encourage the operators to make full use of the business opportunities brought by the event. It is expected to bring about HK $3.3 bn of consumption and HK $1.8 bn of economic value-added to Hong Kong.
Change will open up broad space for the future development of Hong Kong’s tourism industry. In recent years, the government of the Special Economic Zone has joined hands with the industry to seek innovation and change, and actively seek the“Breakthrough” method of industrial transformation and upgrading. The blueprint for the development of Hong Kong’s tourism industry 2.0, published at the end of last year, sets the direction for the development of Hong Kong’s tourism industry in the next five years. It proposes four major development strategies and 133 measures, fully demonstrate Hong Kong tourism“Innovation” and“Change” of the firm determination.
The high-quality development of cultural tourism industry can not be separated from the support of“Hardware” and“Software”. On the“Hardware” side, Hong Kong continues to improve its cultural and tourism infrastructure and make good use of large venues such as the Kai Tak sports park; on the“Software” side, it vigorously promotes“Hospitality”, enhance the hotel, catering, retail and other industry service standards, so that every visitor to Hong Kong will feel a strong“Fireworks” and“Human flavor.
Hong Kong’s cultural and tourism industries enjoy rich resources, such as cultural heritage tours, green eco-tours and blue sea tours. The Willow of the times has also brought about the blending and collision of Chinese and foreign cultures, for Hong Kong to create a unique charm of the city. Many people like Hong Kong, not just because of the splendor of Victoria Harbour, not just because of the convenience of shopping in Causeway Bay, it is because I love the unique and diverse cultural atmosphere here, the Hong kong-style culture that permeates every street corner and the city fireworks. Hong Kong, is not only a“Say go go” destination, but also is a return visit many times, repeatedly explore the city.
By accurately“Recognizing, responding to, and seeking change,” Hong Kong will surely polish its“Golden card” of culture and tourism, display more vigorous vitality, and adopt a more open, inclusive, and charming posture, consolidate and upgrade the status of“World-class preferred tourist destination”.