Southbound Travel Scheme draws strong interest on debut

Hong Kong’s new Southbound Travel scheme for Guangdong vehicles entering the city’s urban areas drew strong interest on its first day, with some mainland motorists spending lavishly and others venturing to more remote destinations.

One driver planned to spend as much as 20,000 yuan (HK$22,095) during a two-day stay, while others extended their trips to Repulse Bay and beyond.

Secretary for Transport Mable Chan said the program’s 100 daily slots were nearly fully booked yesterday, boosted by the Christmas holiday. She added that authorities are preparing for the upcoming New Year holiday by enhancing system coordination and publicity to encourage more applications.

The first car under the scheme crossed the border at around 12.50 am. The driver, surnamed Peng, described the clearance process at both checkpoints as smooth and efficient. “Waiting for such a long time is for this very moment,” he said, adding he felt fortunate and excited after securing a spot following a month-long wait.

A couple from Guangzhou arrived via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in about two hours, noting that driving saved them half the time compared with high-speed rail. They plan to spend two days visiting relatives and sightseeing in Lantau, Tsuen Wan and Sha Tin, expecting to spend up to 20,000 yuan. Another Guangzhou resident, Zhang, drove to Repulse Bay for a hotel meal, saying driving himself allowed him to explore areas beyond the city center.

However, not all experiences were seamless. A motorist from Foshan, Ni, was fined after parking on the roadside when he could not find a space. He later visited Harbour City to enjoy the Victoria Harbour view and said he might explore less crowded areas in the future. Ni planned to spend two days and one night in Hong Kong, driving to Kennedy Town, Luk Keng and Kowloon Peak to capture scenic moments.