Tourism and retail industry officials said that allowing more mainland cities to issue independent travel recommendations would revitalize Hong Kong's tourism sector and contribute to Hong Kong's continued growth and development. .
Residents of eight more mainland Chinese cities will be allowed to visit Hong Kong and Macau independently from May 27, according to the National Immigration Administration. Previously, it could only be visited on group tours. Currently, 59 cities are participating in such plans.
The new cities include Lhasa in Xizang Autonomous Region, Lanzhou in Gansu Province, Xining in Qinghai Province, and Urumqi in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
From March 6, the government has allowed Xi'an city in Shaanxi province and Qingdao city in Shandong province to issue personal travel recommendations for travel to Hong Kong and Macau.
Shares of Hong Kong-listed tourism and gaming companies rose on Monday after news of the expanded eligibility.
Hong Kong Tourism Board Chairman Pan Yi-kai welcomed the expansion of the personal visit system.
“The central government's addition of new cities to the IVS twice in three months reflects the government's full support and confidence in Hong Kong,” he said. “This is also a gift to Hong Kong's tourism industry.”
Greater Bay Airlines CEO Lisa Ng said she was confident that this initiative would promote the development of various industries and the economic development of Hong Kong as a whole.
The Hong Kong Retail Management Association said retailers in the city are looking to take advantage of the central government's expansion to seize business opportunities.
At the annual general meeting of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and Industry held on Friday, a spokesperson for the chamber said, “Hong Kong's tourism industry looks forward to further support measures from the central government to overcome the challenges it is currently facing.'' I can do it.''
