Hong Kong tourism chief vows to work with travel sector to tackle ‘poor quality’ tours amid noise, hygiene complaints against mainland Chinese groups
- Kevin Yeung weighs in on issue of mainland Chinese tour groups crowding streets and eating outside public toilets
- Tourism authorities conduct inspections in Kowloon City and To Kwa Wan districts, while police deployed to maintain order
Hong Kong’s tourism minister has pledged to work with the industry to tackle “poor quality” travel groups by implementing stricter controls, amid complaints of mainland Chinese visitors eating on the streets and outside public toilets.
Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung on Monday weighed in on the issue after the Travel Industry Authority (TIA) said it would consider halting new applications for more stores servicing such travellers.
The authority said it had for the third day in a row sent officers to inspect several sightseeing and dining venues for mainland tour groups in Kowloon City and To Kwa Wan districts, while police were also deployed to some venues to help maintain order.
Yeung told lawmakers on a Legislative Council panel: “Hong Kong is a small place. If tourists are overcrowding certain districts, not just in To Kwa Wan, it will bring inconvenience to residents … We want to offer a premium experience to tourists, but we [at the same time] don’t want to see long queues.
“There are many possible solutions. For example, setting limits on the number of tour groups in certain places, encouraging more diverse itineraries and scheduling groups to arrive at different times.”
The checks by the authority were conducted after mainlanders from tour groups were seen having meals on the streets and crowding pavements this month, sparking concern from local residents of disturbances.
