Lose-lose label on budget tours underscored

Some 1,700 mainland group tours visiting Hong Kong in recent months cost just 500 yuan (HK$565.60) or less, with 87 percent of the 9,600 tours arriving since February staying for just a day or two, according to the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau.

Since the Travel Industry Authority began requiring licensed Hong Kong agents to provide fare information on inbound mainland tour groups on March 29, it received a total of 3,183 itineraries - 54 percent of which cost 500 yuan or less.

The figures came out in a response to inquiries made at the Legislative Council by Federation of Trade Unions lawmaker Kwok Wai-keung, who said the tours had caused road obstructions in districts such as To Kwa Wan and Hung Hom and had "unsatisfactory" meal arrangements.

Kwok cited views that the tours - said to be "low cost, low quality" with the uptick in mainland visitors causing discontent among locals - was a "lose-lose" situation that caused public nuisances and deprived visitors of a good experience.

His remarks come a month after the low-cost tours caused congestion, noise and hygiene issues in venues such as restaurants and in public areas, prompting district councillors and the tourism sector to take action.

Some critics said mainland tours were not particularly beneficial to the local economy and that it was unfair for residents and workers to go through the inconvenience.

The figures show that only 13 percent of tours cost 501 yuan to 1,000 yuan, 16 percent cost 1,001 yuan to 1,500 yuan, 7 percent cost 1,501 yuan to 2,000 yuan, and 10 percent cost 2,001 yuan or more.

The pricier tours include visits to several regions, including Macau and cities in the Greater Bay Area.

Mainland tourists last month who paid tour fees of over 2,000 yuan said they were on trips lasting about 10 days to multiple cities, including Zhuhai, Shenzhen, Xiamen, and the two SARs.

In response to inquiries from commerce sector lawmaker Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung, undersecretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Raistlin Lau Chun said the TIA has not received any complaints since new regulations came into effect last September.

During the Golden Week, 14,000 tourists in 453 tour groups visited Hong Kong, the bureau said, adding that the TIA implemented measures such as staggering arrival times and ramping up inspections at venues frequented by mainland tours.

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said the TIA had earlier required travel agents to make reservations with restaurants in advance and to make effective arrangements when picking up tourists.

Furthermore, restaurants in the Kowloon City district registered under the TIA will be required to submit crowd-management plans to prevent long queues and congestion.

cjames.lee@singtaonewscorp.com