Hong Kong, Chinese mainland see 280,000 cross-border passengers as all checkpoints reopen

(ECNS) -- About 280,000 people crossed the border through various checkpoints between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Chinese mainland on Monday, with people entering and leaving Hong Kong accounting for half respectively, according to Eric Chan Kwok-ki, Chief Secretary for Administration.

Cross-border travel between Hong Kong and the mainland fully resumed on Monday without quotas, and passengers have increased significantly compared with that during the epidemic.

People from the tourism industry in Hong Kong expressed confidence in the recovery of the city's tourism industry, but it is estimated that it will take nine months to return to the peak before the epidemic.

Timothy Chui Ting-pong, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, told Lianhe Zaobao that after the reopening of checkpoints between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, the number of visitors to Hong Kong on the first day was average.

Hong Kong has launched global publicity activities, and there are more scenic spots such as the West Kowloon Cultural District and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, which has given Chui confidence in attracting more visitors.

"It is estimated that it will take nine months for Hong Kong's tourism industry to return to its pre-epidemic peak," said Chui.

Group tours between Hong Kong and the mainland are recovering. A Guangzhou travel agency launched a two-day and one-night tour in Hong Kong on Monday. Fifteen tourists from the mainland took the high-speed train that morning from Guangzhou South Station to Hong Kong West Kowloon Station. The Hong Kong Tourism Board distributed a coupon of HK$ 100 to each passenger.