In China, a long holiday will begin on the 21st in conjunction with the Lunar New Year.
Nearly 2.1 billion people are expected to move this year after the "zero corona" policy, which thoroughly suppresses the spread of the new coronavirus, and many people are visiting Hong Kong from mainland China.
Between mainland China and Hong Kong, traffic that had been severely restricted due to infection control was eased in January, and high-speed rail resumed operation for the first time in about three years.
At West Kowloon Station in Hong Kong on the 20th, people with suitcases arrived one after another before the long holidays, and were delighted to see their families and friends again after a long time.
A mother who reunited with her son's family living in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, adjacent to Hong Kong, for the first time in three years said, "I'm very happy to see my son and grandchildren for the first time in a long time. I want to have dinner with everyone and enjoy the New Year." was talking
On the other hand, tourists from mainland China came to shop in downtown areas lined with luxury brand stores.
A woman from Hangzhou, Zhejiang, who visited with her family, said, "I'm very excited. I came here because there are many luxury brand stores here and the prices are cheaper than on the mainland. I will take my children to Disneyland, Ocean Park and museums." I was talking to
In 2019, before the spread of the infection, more than 43 million people from mainland China visited Hong Kong annually. I am sending.
*Sen is a river on the ground
Tourist spots in various parts of China Bustling with many people
In China, tourist destinations all over the country are bustling with people before the long Chinese New Year holidays begin on the 21st.
Among them, at Disneyland, a popular tourist destination in Shanghai, people waited for the opening of the park on the 20th, and a long queue was formed early in the morning.
A woman in her 40s who visited from Shandong Province with her children and friends said, ``I haven't been able to go out for the past few years because of the new corona, but I wanted to show my children the outside world, so I came to play. I want to spend it."
In addition, red lanterns and lanterns decorated with rabbits have been set up at Yuyuan Garden, a representative tourist attraction in Shanghai, known for its gardens with a history of over 400 years. enjoyed the atmosphere of
A woman in her 70s who visited with her grandchild from Henan Province said, "I think the atmosphere of Yuyuan's Spring Festival is very good. It seems that there is no impact from the new corona. I will go out for the first time in three years when the infection spread. I am very happy," he said.
A woman in her 40s who works at a souvenir shop said, ``The number of people now is about the same as three years ago, which is very good. There were also people. I think that the business of the store that has been protected so far will surely improve after this.”
Countries in Southeast Asia expect an increase in tourists
In China, the Chinese New Year's "Spring Festival" long holiday starts on the 21st, and Southeast Asian countries are expecting an increase in tourists from China to lead to economic recovery.
At Wat Arun, which is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bangkok, Thailand, and is also called the "Temple of Dawn", tourists from China have already visited on the 20th and were seen wearing traditional costumes they rented and taking pictures.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects about 29,000 visitors from China during the period from January 19 to 27, including the Lunar New Year holidays, 38 times more than at the same time last year.
A Chinese man who visited from Guangzhou for sightseeing said, "I feel that Thailand is a very beautiful country. I am happy to have the opportunity to see the world."
In addition, a Thai woman owner of a costume rental shop said, "If Chinese tourists come, it will lead to income, so I definitely want them to come. I think there will be a lot of them soon."
On the other hand, tourists from China are gradually returning to Indonesia's tourist destination, Bali, via the capital city of Jakarta.
On the 22nd, a charter flight from China is scheduled to arrive in Bali, and government officials will meet them.
Yi Nyoman Subrata of a group made up of local travel agencies said, "Compared to the previous Lunar New Year, the numbers are considerably smaller, but it's an opportunity to show that Chinese tourists are already coming. Direct flights will resume in the future. If so, we may be able to attract more than 900,000 people a year from China."
Regarding travelers from China, Japan and the United States are strengthening border measures in response to the rapid spread of infection, but in Thailand and Indonesia, the government has indicated its intention to expand acceptance in order to lead to economic recovery. I'm here.