Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – On the 28th, various sectors of Hong Kong society welcomed the central government's announcement of raising the duty-free allowance for baggage and goods brought in by residents from Hong Kong and Macau, believing the new measure will inject greater momentum into the local economy.
Hong Kong's Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Kevin Yeung, told the media that day that he sincerely thanked the central government for its support measures for Hong Kong, believing that the measures would boost the overall tourism atmosphere, help Hong Kong's tourism industry, and provide mainland visitors with a better travel experience and shopping experience. The SAR government will do a good job in promotion and reception in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Tourism Board Chairman, Pang Yiu-kai, said that the central government's earlier expansion of the "Individual Visit Scheme" to include more mainland tourists attracted more visitors to Hong Kong, and the increase in the duty-free allowance will help enhance mainland tourists' willingness to shop and spend in Hong Kong.
Peng Yaojia stated that to maximize the benefits, taking advantage of the new measures, the Hong Kong Tourism Board will launch a brand-new summer promotional campaign, "Hong Kong. Enjoy Summer," including distributing 500,000 "Summer Triple Gifts" to all overnight visitors to Hong Kong. These gifts cover transportation, tourism, dining, and retail vouchers, totaling over HK$100 million, and collaborating with the industry to present a variety of selected consumer offers, further enhancing tourists' willingness to spend in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGC) warmly welcomes the measures. Cai Guanshen, a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and President of the HKGC, thanked the Central Government for bringing good news to Hong Kong on the eve of the 27th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China. He believes the new measures will help attract more mainland tourists to Hong Kong for tourism and spending, providing them with a better shopping and tourism experience, and will also quickly benefit Hong Kong's tourism, retail, catering, and hotel industries, stimulating Hong Kong's economic growth.
In the long term, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce suggests that the Hong Kong SAR government should intensify its efforts to explore "multi-stop" tourism with other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. This could be achieved by developing more new tourist attractions and products, strengthening related supporting facilities, and promoting the alignment of policies and operational management rules. Together, they can build a Greater Bay Area tourism brand, inject stronger momentum into the region's tourism and consumption market, and comprehensively enhance its attractiveness to mainland and international tourists.
The Hong Kong Chinese Manufacturers' Association (HKMA) thanks the nation for its support and care for Hong Kong and believes that the new measures will create a synergistic effect with "Hong Kong is a place to travel everywhere" and "event economy," injecting greater impetus into the local economy.
HKMA President Lu Jinrong stated that although Hong Kong's economy is growing steadily, certain sectors, particularly retail, catering, and tourism, still face significant challenges. The HKMA welcomes the new measures and believes that the arrangements will encourage more mainland residents to travel and spend in Hong Kong, making it the best "gift of return" for the business community.
The Hong Kong Economic and Livelihood Alliance (ELA) believes that the central government's continued rollout of policies benefiting Hong Kong fully demonstrates its care and support for the city. They believe this will bring more demand and consumption to Hong Kong's retail and related industries, injecting new growth momentum into the local economy and helping to boost Hong Kong's economic recovery.
The ELA urges the Hong Kong SAR government to make good use of the central government's various preferential policies, working hand in hand with the business community to fully leverage synergies, strive to hold more major events, explore in-depth tourism and local cultural tourism products, promote the "Hospitality Campaign," and drive diversified tourism development. This aims to enhance the tourism and consumption experience of mainland tourists in Hong Kong, increase their shopping desire, strengthen Hong Kong's status as a "shopping paradise," and realize the vision of "Hong Kong: A Place Where You Can Travel Everywhere."
Regina Ip, chairwoman of the New People's Party, expressed her gratitude for the central government's support and believes the new measures will be very helpful in revitalizing Hong Kong's retail industry. She believes that Hong Kong's retail and catering industries should also study how to renovate shopping malls, increasing their appeal and discounts to make shopping in Hong Kong more attractive to mainland residents.
Ma Haowen, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) from Hong Kong, stated that as an international consumption center, Hong Kong's retail and tourism industries have always played a vital role. This new policy will undoubtedly further solidify Hong Kong's advantageous position in these areas and have a positive impact on promoting Hong Kong's economic development. (End)
