In response to the post-Covid period and the sluggish international financial system, the federal government launched varied campaigns to advertise the town’s various sights, cultural heritage, nature, arts scene and culinary panorama.
Moreover, buying and leisure had been emphasised to capitalise on the town’s top-class malls, premium venues and world-class occasions just like the Hong Kong Worldwide Movie Competition.
Nevertheless, the response to those efforts has been lukewarm.
Easy methods to repair Hong Kong’s child disaster? Handouts alone can’t remedy all issues
Easy methods to repair Hong Kong’s child disaster? Handouts alone can’t remedy all issues
Moreover, digital actuality (VR) may very well be used to offer simulations of iconic Hong Kong experiences.
I consider that implementing a mix of those options and fostering steady innovation may assist Hong Kong distinguish itself from its opponents.
Just lately, I got here throughout thrilling information indicating that China’s first “web movie star” metropolis – a sizzling vacation spot standard amongst web customers – of 2024 has emerged: Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang province within the nation’s northeast.
Town is famend for its annual Harbin Ice and Snow Competition, which takes place for 2 months from late December to late February.
Yearly, guests from all around the nation flock to Harbin to benefit from the mesmerising ice and snow sculptures. As of December 20, 2023, Harbin airport’s passenger throughput for the 12 months had already surpassed 20 million, making it the primary airport in China’s northeast area to succeed in this milestone.
The winter season has all the time been a peak vacationer interval in northeastern China, however after the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, home ice and snow tourism has skilled an unbelievable surge.
It’s price noting that Harbin’s rise in reputation can’t be solely attributed to influencers or deliberate planning. The recognition of any metropolis is a posh and unpredictable phenomenon. Its potential for reputation, the extent to which it might develop into standard, and even the length of its reputation are all topic to numerous random elements.
Harbin’s success story presents helpful classes for Hong Kong to think about and emulate. Nevertheless, there are just a few basic conditions to keep in mind.
Foremost is the adoption of a “consumer mindset” by Hong Kong, which entails understanding the wishes and expectations of vacationers and providing merchandise and experiences that cater to their preferences, fairly than merely offering what we assume they need and hoping for his or her acceptance and adaptation.
This precept turns into much more essential within the age of social media and international journey. In at this time’s tourism panorama, folks not merely search out standard sights for the sake of checking them off a listing; they carefully worth the general expertise all through their journey. By specializing in offering memorable and fulfilling experiences, Hong Kong can improve its enchantment and appeal to a broader vary of travellers.
As an example, Harbin has constructed a big synthetic moon, permitting vacationers to seize higher photos with out counting on moveable lighting. Town has additionally erected small heat homes to offer consolation for vacationers from southern China who might really feel unaccustomed to the colder local weather.
Hong Kong can’t solely proceed with enterprise as ordinary within the extremely aggressive [tourism] market
To facilitate the consumption of Harbin’s standard frozen pears, the town has even launched frozen pear platters, making it extra handy for vacationers to savour the delicacy.
These meticulous particulars play a major position in guaranteeing that vacationers really feel warmly embraced, cared for and revered. Consequently, their optimistic experiences are extensively shared on the web, contributing to Harbin’s “web movie star” metropolis standing.
In at this time’s period of social media, vacationers reign because the kings and queens of the web realm. To win them over, we have to adhere to the norms and expectations prevalent within the realm of social media.
Nevertheless, you will need to recognise that even after a metropolis turns into standard, it doesn’t suggest perfection. The truth is, flaws and challenges might develop into magnified underneath the extraordinary scrutiny led to by elevated consideration. Therefore, the federal government, tourism officers and operators ought to persistently improve their providers.
It’s inconceivable to fulfill everybody, and each metropolis will invariably possess its personal set of shortcomings. The important thing lies within the angle and effectivity with which issues are addressed.
Hong Kong can’t solely proceed with enterprise as ordinary within the extremely aggressive market. To thrive, it should sincerely improve its providers and prioritise the real wants of vacationers. By doing so, the town can seize the hearts of tourists and set up itself not solely as an “web movie star” metropolis but in addition as a long-term standard vacation spot.
Does Hong Kong want expats again? Completely – our metropolis is healthier for it
Does Hong Kong want expats again? Completely – our metropolis is healthier for it
A latest incident in Harbin serves as a helpful lesson, highlighting the importance of each consideration to element and a heartfelt strategy.
With the latest upsurge in vacationer arrivals, many travellers encountered difficulties in securing taxis or ride-hailing providers. In response, the native residents demonstrated exceptional unity and organised a fleet of about 300 personal automobiles, offering complimentary rides to vacationers.
This heartwarming account rapidly unfold, additional amplifying the touching facet of the Harbin story. Regardless of the town’s freezing local weather, its residents work diligently to create a heat and welcoming surroundings for his or her visitors.
Hong Kong would profit from drawing inspiration from Harbin’s instance by putting better emphasis on consideration to element and sharing real heat in embracing international guests.
Luisa Tam is a Publish editor who additionally hosts video tutorials on Cantonese language that at the moment are a part of Cathay Pacific’s in-flight leisure programme
