The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) hosted a web conference last week to provide the latest updates on tourism development and introduce the HKTB’s strategic framework of recovery plan. HKTB Chairman Dr. YK Pang said that the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to Hong Kong tourism and put global tourism to a halt.
“The tourism landscape will be reshaped,” Dr. Pang said in a statement. “In the post-pandemic world, we will see a shift in preference and behavior among travelers: The public health conditions of destinations and the hygiene standards of transportations, hotels and other tourism facilities will become a top priority; people will prefer short-haul breaks and shorter itineraries; wellness-themed trips will become a new trend.”
The web conference was attended by close to 1,500 representatives from travel agencies, attractions, hotels, airlines, the retail and dining industries, as well as the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) and cruise sectors. Representatives from the HKTB’s worldwide offices also participated in the meeting to provide insights into the latest developments in various market regions. Here’s what they expect:
Mainland Market
- The mainland has gradually resumed economic activities and people have returned to work
- Given the outbreak’s impact on the economy, consumers will become more price-conscious and pursue value-for-money holidays
- After prolonged confinement, visitors will also place greater emphasis on health and nature; when choosing destinations for future trips, they will favor those that pose low risks to health
Short-Haul and New Markets
- Domestic travel will be the major preference shortly after the pandemic, and outbound travel will resume soon after
- Regional competition will be fiercer than ever, as the tourism authorities and travel trade of various destinations are gearing up for intensive promotions to vie for visitors
- In Japan, Korea and Taiwan, the young and middle-aged segments will be the most eager to travel
- Green tourism and the outdoors will be favored, while short-haul travel will be preferred due to financial and holiday leave constraints
Long-Haul Markets
- Currently, governments are focusing on containing the outbreak within the region; a longer timeframe is expected for these markets to recover and outbound travel may resume in the last quarter of this year at the earliest
- Ethnic Asian visitors are expected to be the first to visit Hong Kong after the pandemic
- Consumer sentiment is comparatively more positive in Canada, France and Germany and outbound travel is expected to recover at a faster rate in these markets
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