The trade war between the United States and China and a forecast of a stronger American dollar are cause for Hong Kong’s tourism officials to believe the city is heading for a slowdown this year. Those hoping for a return to profitability for Disneyland are not given much optimism by such a forecast, with the Lantau theme park having just posted another loss despite an increase in the number of visitors. But the go-ahead of the
“Greater Bay Area” plan should prompt buoyancy. Deepening cooperation and coordinating economic development of the region’s 11 cities will provide a host of opportunities that can ensure sustained, long-term growth.
Even a hint of gloom about the outlook would not seem justified given 66.4 million tourists are expected to visit Hong Kong this year, 1.3 million more than
2018’s record-setting figure.
Disneyland’s numbers compared to 2017 were also positive, with an 8 per cent rise in attendance to 6.7 million and an 18 per cent jump in revenue to HK$6 billion (US$765 million). The resort recorded a fourth consecutive annual loss of HK$54 million, but it was a substantial improvement on the previous HK$345 million deficit. Slowdowns and uncertainty are not what governments, tourism officials and businesspeople want to hear about, though; they expect their investments to produce growth.
The idea of the Greater Bay Area has already borne fruit, the improved numbers being in part due to greater accessibility to Hong Kong with the recent opening of the
bridge to Zhuhai and Macau and the
high-speed rail line. Tourism officials and Disneyland intend to use promotion campaigns to increase awareness, the former looking beyond the mainland with an eye on visitors staying longer and spending more, and the resort targeting 23 cities elsewhere in China. But attention has to increasingly also be focused on the bay area as it offers vast growth potential.
Regional governments need to set aside rivalries and work as partners. Tour operators can design itineraries that take in attractions in Hong Kong and elsewhere, enhancing visitors’ experiences and increasing lengths of stay and spending. Improving infrastructure and connectivity will create more possibilities, benefiting all.
