Opinion | As tourists return, Hong Kong has second chance at getting balance right

Between 2012 and 2018, Hong Kong experienced substantial growth, partly driven by a notable rise in tourism. During this period, Ocean Park often operated at full capacity, and the MTR was frequently crowded with travellers carrying suitcases. The streets of many neighbourhoods were transformed to provide goods and services mainly catering to mainland visitors.

For some locals, daily routines were disrupted as queues formed at bakeries and popular spots, creating a mixture of emotions about the city’s growing tourism sector. The dynamic that once defined local life was noticeably changing.

Hong Kong established itself as Asia’s “shopping paradise”, attracting over 65 million visitors in 2018, with some 78 per cent coming from mainland China. While this brought prosperity to many businesses and landlords, the general public often bore the costs, such as overcrowded MTR stations and other public spaces.
The growth of tourism was driven by increasing wealth on the mainland and policies like the Individual Visit Scheme, which made it easier to travel to Hong Kong from participating cities in China. Although the influx brought economic benefits, it also raised concerns about overcrowding, rising prices and the loss of neighbourhood character.
The situation changed significantly after 2019, when social unrest and then the pandemic severely affected tourism. As borders reopened, economic and geopolitical issues influenced global travel patterns, and visitors were slow to return. A major factor was the strong US dollar that the Hong Kong dollar is pegged to, which reduced the city’s competitiveness.
But competition from mainland cities also grew. New theme parks and retail options in Shenzhen began attracting tourists who previously preferred Hong Kong’s attractions, such as Ocean Park, forcing established venues to work harder to stay competitive.

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Hongkongers hunt for roast chicken, soap and more bargains at US warehouse store in mainland China

Hongkongers hunt for roast chicken, soap and more bargains at US warehouse store in mainland China

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