Hong Kong tourism increase: Eight extra Chinese language cities be part of solo journey scheme | Journey khabarmasala24.com

Eight extra Chinese language cities have joined a scheme permitting their residents to journey to Hong Kong on their very own, fairly than as a part of a tour group, as a part of efforts to spice up Hong Kong’s economic system.

Hong Kong is battling to revive its economic system following a nationwide safety crackdown and Covid-related controls, which led to many native and expats leaving the town and brought about vacationer numbers to dwindle to a fraction of pre-pandemic ranges.

The “Particular person Go to Scheme” (IVS) started in 2003 as a part of a cooperation settlement between mainland China and Hong Kong to spice up the town’s economic system by permitting Chinese language residents to use for particular person journey, fairly than in a tour group.

Fifty-one cities have already joined the programme and might be joined by Taiyuan in Shanxi Province, Hohhot in Interior Mongolia Autonomous Area, Harbin in Heilongjiang Province, Lhasa in Tibet Autonomous Area, Lanzhou in Gansu Province, Xining in Qinghai Province, Yinchuan in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Area and Urumqi in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Area.

Hong Kong metropolis chief John Lee stated: “These eight cities are all provincial capital cities with massive populations, important financial progress and excessive spending energy”.

Though current official figures confirmed the territory rising 2.7% within the first quarter in contrast with the 12 months earlier than, native companies have described procuring malls as “lifeless”, with low foot visitors and outlets coated with “for lease” or “arising quickly” indicators.

One lawmaker not too long ago informed the town’s legislature that greater than 20,000 firms had deregistered within the first quarter of 2024, up greater than 70% from the identical interval final 12 months.

China imposed a sweeping nationwide safety regulation in 2020 after months of pro-democracy protests in 2019. In March, authorities enacted one other set of safety legal guidelines that some overseas governments say additional undermine rights and freedoms.

The Hong Kong and Chinese language governments have repeatedly stated the safety legal guidelines have introduced stability.