By Cannix Yau
A highly anticipated cross-border driving scheme for Guangdong residents will provide a boost for Hong Kong鈥檚 tourism-related industries, the transport chief has said, as she called on different sectors to offer a variety of tailored packages linked to hotels, restaurants and events to woo the new source of visitors.
Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan on Thursday noted the business sector鈥檚 enthusiasm over the launch of the Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles scheme, which will allow a daily quota of 100 vehicles to enter the city鈥檚 urban areas via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.
鈥淚 am pleased to note the positive response from different sectors, especially the business industry including hotels, catering, retail, AsiaWorld-Expo, and business chambers. They are all very supportive,鈥 she told the media, a day after announcing that the scheme would be launched in November, a month earlier than planned.
鈥淭he business sector is actually very quick-witted. Industry players can actively explore launching packages, such as parking combined with accommodation, exhibitions, or other activities and mega-events.鈥
Chan stressed that packages tailor-made for Guangdong drivers would help improve supporting facilities and connections, and inform promotional strategies that would better capitalise on this new group of visitors.
鈥淲ith the package offerings which cater to Guangdong visitors, we can help disseminate relevant information and promote the scheme to the mainland. With our joint efforts we can make this good policy even better,鈥 she said.
Chan noted the southbound scheme would be similar to its counterpart, the Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles scheme, and both aimed to achieve reciprocity and mutual benefit with the mainland.
鈥淕uangdong vehicles will be able to travel to various parts of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories. Just like local drivers, they must adhere to laws regarding prohibited areas and road regulations, but otherwise, they are free to drive around,鈥 she said.
There are currently about 8,500 left-hand drive vehicles operating in Hong Kong. In the first half of last year, the accident rate for such vehicles was 0.2 per cent, significantly lower than the 1.67 per cent for right-hand drive vehicles in the city. Vehicles on the mainland are left-hand drive.
鈥淎ny violations will be handled according to Hong Kong laws and administrative management arrangements will be established,鈥 the transport minister said.
Stuart Bailey, chairman of the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association, said his sector and the economy as a whole would benefit from the cross-border driving scheme.
鈥淓xhibition activities help drive growth in other related industries, such as hotels, catering, retail, entertainment, design and advertising, legal, and other professional services,鈥 he said.
鈥淲e anticipate that the scheme…will provide a comfortable and convenient travel option for mainland visitors attending Hong Kong exhibitions and attract more high-spending overnight mainland tourists.鈥
Many Guangdong residents were keen to sign up for the scheme so they could enjoy driving around the city for good food, shopping and sightseeing.
鈥淚鈥檝e been eagerly waiting for it and already asked my secretary to sign up for me once applications are open,鈥 Lee Chaoxiong, a 55-year-old car parts manufacturer who travels regularly to Hong Kong for business, said.
鈥淚 know many Guangdong people who are keen to drive straight into Hong Kong to tour around the city without the hassle of taking different public transport such as the high-speed rail. Now I can easily drive to Lantau Island to enjoy the scenery there.鈥
鈥淚 believe the scheme will strongly boost different sectors and the economy as a whole, not only for tourism-related industries but also for the motor industry,鈥 he added.
Lee called on the city government to grant Guangdong drivers at least two weeks on their single-entry permit, so they would have ample time to travel around Hong Kong.
He added that authorities should disseminate the necessary information to applicants, such as the dos and don鈥檛s for left-hand drive vehicles, how to pay tunnel tolls, and where to easily find parking.