HK Leader Asks Public How to get Tourists Back

Lee visited Tai Po to solicit ideas to get more tourists in HK

The Hong Kong government is looking for ideas on how to entice more tourists to come to the city, and even enlisted the help of the public for suggestions.

At a gathering in a primary school in Tai Po, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and his ministers, including Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung sat in on the session attended by 120 residents.

The recommendations?

These colourful neon signs have disappeared

Have locals standing by in touristy areas like the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade to help visitors take selfies; turn Lam Tsuen River into something
similar to the Seine, and a new Hong Kong mascot, perhaps McDull and have his porcine face featured in fireworks displays are restaurants.

At the end of the sharing session, Lee observed: "Hong Kong people are smart, you have a lot of great ideas. Tell us about your projects, and we will do our best to support them."

Why are people thinking so small? 

One of the bigger issues is Hong Kong is not a city people are thinking of visiting because it's so expensive to get there compared to pre-Covid. Why is it so costly? Can the government find out and fix this problem? 

While the McDull idea is a start in terms of having a mascot, no one outside of Hong Kong knows what this pig is about. 

No one outside of HK knows who McDull is

In addition, many previous tourists remember the city for its neon signs and yet now the vast majority of these colourful lights are gone ironically for safety reasons. Nathan Road is hardly photogenic anymore.

And how about making taxis and the drivers more friendly and accessible? Cash is not something overseas tourists carry anymore -- it's credit cards or other digital payments. Taxis cannot be stuck in the past when customers are used to Uber and mobile payments. 

So many details that need to be improved on, but if prospective tourists think Hong Kong too expensive to get to, then these visitors won't be coming anytime soon...