[Global Times Special Correspondent to Hong Kong Global Times Special Correspondent Ye Lan] After 3 years, Hong Kong and the mainland finally ushered in the first phase of quarantine-free customs clearance. The once deserted border crossing reappeared, relatives embraced each other, wept with joy, and the port operation was smooth and orderly orderly.

For other industries, three years have been lost, but for industries that are highly dependent on mainland tourists, such as tourism and retail, they have been under tremendous pressure since the "revision storm" in 2019.

“The most important thing is the mainland tourists”

　　Shao Jiahui, a member of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (wholesale and retail industry), told the Global Times reporter on the 9th that in 2018, two-thirds of Hong Kong's retail industry relied on local citizens' consumption, and one-third was overseas tourists' consumption.

Among these 1/3, the consumption of mainland tourists accounts for 80%.

In the past three years, the number of mainland tourists has been almost zero, and the retail industry has faced many difficulties. Many companies have had to lay off employees or close their stores.

Shao Jiahui mentioned that jewelry, cosmetics and small electrical appliances companies are most affected by the inability of mainland tourists to come to Hong Kong.

They were the ones who benefited the most, and are now the most vulnerable.

　　Granville Road in Tsim Sha Tsui once gathered many pharmacies. The Dragon City Pharmacy here was once a "must-go shopping spot" for mainland tourists. It not only sold medicines, but also health care products and cosmetics.

Nearby merchants told the Global Times reporter that since the outbreak of the epidemic, pharmacies on Granville Road have been closed one after another, and the bustle of the past is no longer there.

"Global Times" reporter also saw on the 9th that the business of the pharmacies that are still open in this area is average, some pharmacies are not patronized, and occasionally customers only buy some commonly used medicines.

Ms. Gu is an employee of a store of Hong Kong China Travel Service in Hung Hom. She told the Global Times reporter on the 9th that due to the impact of the epidemic, the mainland tourism business of her store has dropped to almost zero in the past three years, and the ticket business such as air tickets and scenic spot tickets has dropped significantly.

She said that before the epidemic, the travel agency she worked for had more than 20 stores in Hong Kong, and now more than half of them are closed. consult".

During the more than 20 minutes of chatting with Ms. Gu, the reporter did not see a single customer coming to consult.

　　Now that the mainland and Hong Kong have finally cleared the customs, it will undoubtedly give Hong Kong's tourism and retail industry a shot in the arm.

According to the data of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, as of 4:00 pm on the 9th, according to the preliminary statistics of Lok Ma Chau, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Shenzhen Bay, Man Kam To, China-Hong Kong Ferry Terminal and Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal, a total of 28,238 people have crossed the border, of which 9,198 people entered Hong Kong and 9,198 people left Hong Kong. 19040 person-times.

According to the Office of the Chief Information Officer of the SAR Government, as of 6:00 pm on the 9th, more than 470,000 people have made appointments to go to the mainland through the online system.

　　Hong Wen, a member of the Legislative Council, told the "Global Times" reporter on the 9th that customs clearance is a very important milestone, which proves that the return to normal has officially started.

Cui Dingbang, director-general of the Hong Kong Tourism Promotion Association, told the Global Times, "Travelers from other places are very important, but the most important ones are mainland tourists."

Hong Kong ponders how to re-attract mainland tourists

　　Although the dawn has been seen, people interviewed by the "Global Times" reporter all emphasized that it will take time for mainland tourists to return to Hong Kong.

Member of the Legislative Council (tourism sector) Yao Pak-liang told the Global Times that mainland tourists traveling to Hong Kong are unlikely to see a "V" rebound. During the Spring Festival, hotel bookings and other data did not increase significantly, and may gradually recover after the Spring Festival. .

Yang Shufen, director-general of the Tourism Industry Council, revealed that she has communicated with mainland travel agencies that there will be no mainland tour groups arriving in Hong Kong in January, and tour groups will resume in early February. At the beginning, there will only be 10 tour groups per day, each with 30-40 people. Tourists mainly come from Guangdong; as for independent travel, it is believed that the recovery will not begin until mid-February, and more people will visit Hong Kong from the end of February to March.

　　For the Hong Kong tourism industry, there is still a lot to do to re-attract mainland tourists.

Yao Boliang said that in the past, mainland tourists came to Hong Kong for shopping and to check in at several traditional scenic spots, but Hong Kong tourism is much more than that. There are many tourism resources with local characteristics or historical stories. In the future, they will turn to the pursuit of quality.

He said frankly, "Tourism has been spoiled for more than ten years after the opening of independent travel, and there is no need for innovation." But now it must be changed. It must rely on conferences, exhibitions, cultural and sports events to attract tourists, and at the same time make in-depth travel routes.

　　Hong Kong's "Sing Tao Daily" published an editorial on the 9th, saying that in any case, the 8th is a day of historic significance for Hong Kong, which marks that Hong Kong can get ready to go and connect with the mainland, and it also marks that Hong Kong can get out of the haze of the epidemic and realize a true return to normal .

As a barometer of the economy, the Hong Kong stock market rose by more than 1,200 points in the first week of this year, and the Hang Seng Index hit the 21,000-point mark. Customs clearance will revive the vitality of Hong Kong’s tourism, retail, hotel and other industries, and boost global investors’ interest in Hong Kong’s “backing” Confidence in the advantages of "the motherland and the world".

The bustling atmosphere in Macau’s tourist area reappears

　　The 8th is also the first day that Macau has relaxed its anti-epidemic measures. Passengers entering the country from the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan no longer need to show any test certificates. Many restaurants and souvenir shops have queued up.

The casino has also regained its popularity. Some employees described it as the busiest afternoon in three years. Although it was busy, it was exciting.

　　Macau media quoted Zhang Jianzhong, president of the Macau Hotel and Tourism Chamber, as saying that the industry has confidence in the Lunar New Year schedule, and the occupancy rate is expected to be 80-90%.

He said that during the Spring Festival Golden Week, family trips, vacation trips, and festive shopping trips are more popular. With the gradual recovery of tourists' travel confidence, a large number of inquiries about Macau's transportation, accommodation, and tourism products have been received.

Huang Hui, president of the Macau Leisure Tourism Service Innovation Association, believes that with the relaxation of the epidemic prevention policies in Hong Kong and Macau, it is hoped that the average daily number of tourists visiting Macau during the Spring Festival holiday will exceed 30,000.

　　(Global Times)