Tourism has come to Hong Kong’s aid before in troubled times, leading a rousing economic recovery after the Sars epidemic. In the wake of the Covid pandemic, the city has again turned to tourism – and mainland China visitors in particular – to turn things around.

But some of the similarities end there. Shopping in Hong Kong has lost its former magnetism. More travellers are now seeking leisure and cultural experiences. This puts the city’s famed ability to adapt to the test.

To add to the challenge, residents of two heavily populated mainland cities, Qingdao and Xian, become eligible for individual visits to the city rather than tour groups from March 6. If this turns out well, further expansion is on the cards.

The scheme originally targeted a handful of Guangdong centres, then major cities like Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing and Shanghai before reaching 49. This is the first time the list has been updated since 2007.

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Hong Kong’s traditional dai pai dong street-food stalls fight to stay open

Hong Kong’s traditional dai pai dong street-food stalls fight to stay open

It is now up to Hong Kong to attract solo visitors from the two new cities. A requirement they stay overnight makes them a potentially lucrative target. That should not be taken for granted, given the option of staying in Shenzhen and crossing the border for day visits.

Next, the government should promote Hong Kong as a destination in Qingdao and Xian.

If the expansion works, more mainland cities could join from the northeast, southwest and northwest, starting with Harbin and other cities in Heilongjiang province.

This is according to tourism industry leader Simon Wong Ka-wo and others who met Beijing’s top man on Hong Kong affairs, Xia Baolong, on his visit to the city.

Hong Kong overnight visitor spending falls 37%, set to return to 2019 levels

But there is preparation to be done, given limited direct flights from these cities and no direct high-speed rail link between them and Hong Kong.

Research is needed into the socio-economics of likely visitors from Qingdao and Xian and their expectations. The new solo guests are likely to be experienced travellers. There is a need to know their travel habits and preferences.

Amid calls from the business sector for more mainland centres to be eligible for the individual visit scheme, the authorities would be wise to expand it gradually, bearing in mind past tensions with locals in border areas affected by a surge in visitors.

Amid integration with the Greater Bay Area, that would be in no one’s best interests.