DATE=4/20/02

TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT

TITLE=HONG KONG / MAINLAND TOURISTS

NUMBER=5-51467

BYLINE=KRISTINE KWOK / KATE POUND DAWSON

DATELINE=HONG KONG

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Tourists from mainland China have topped European and American visitors as the biggest spenders in Hong Kong. About four-point-four million mainlanders came to Hong Kong last year and spent an average of 660 dollars each. V-O-A's Kate Pound Dawson has this report, prepared by Kristine Kwok in Hong Kong.

TEXT: In February alone, more than 470-thousand Chinese tourists visited Hong Kong, a 70 percent increase from the same month last year.

Li Yiping, an assistant professor who teaches about tourism trends at the University of Hong Kong, says there are many reasons for the increase in mainland visitors. An end to daily quotas for tour groups and a large increase in the number of mainland travel agents licensed to offer tours in Hong Kong helped boost the numbers.

/// LI ACT ///

And also mainland people become relatively rich, especially those people living along the coastal cities. They have more disposable income and time, since China adopted five working days a week. Also, China becomes more open, relaxed its policies regarding issuing passport, especially passports for tourists to go abroad.

/// END ACT ///

Before the 1990's, mainland Chinese who wished to visit Hong Kong either had to have relatives living here, or have friends in the city buy them package tours. It took months to get a permit to visit. Although the former British colony, is now ruled by Beijing, there continue to be limits on the number of mainland Chinese who enter the city.

The restrictions on mainland tourists, however, have eased considerably. Almost anyone can join a tour to Hong Kong and it takes only about a week to obtain the necessary permit from the mainland government.

Mainland Chinese are taking advantage of the new openness in large numbers, drawn by Hong Kong's reputation as a "shoppers' paradise." Studies by the Hong Kong Tourism Board show that mainlanders particularly like to shop for cosmetics, watches, jewelry and electronic products, which are cheaper here than in China.

Elven Ho is manager of the board's publicity department:

/// HO ACT ///

They want to do more shopping, they know they can get a lot of designer labels, they buy gold here.

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Hong Kong retailers and shopping malls are getting together to meet the influx of Chinese visitors this summer with what they call the "Mega Hong Kong Sale." They plan to slash prices for goods Chinese tourists like to buy.

Despite the city's efforts, not all mainlanders are impressed with Hong Kong.

/// BEIJING TOURIST ACT, ESTABLISH, FADE ///

This woman from Beijing is disappointed, saying she expected to see something very different in the former British colony. Instead, she says, Hong Kong looks just like parts of Beijing.

Most package tours include only visits to Hong Kong's standard tourist spots, including the mountain known as the Peak, and a theme park. Places that reflect the territory's unique fusion of East and West such as its trendy bar districts -- are not on most tour itineraries.

Hong Kong authorities have been trying to entice visitors to all of the city's 18 districts by organizing festivals and programs. Tourism experts, however, say there are limits to such programs.

Most ordinary Chinese can visit only if they join a tour, and the tour groups focus on shopping, not on exploring Hong Kong's culture. Some mainlanders, however, are joining together to organize their own itineraries. That cuts down on the red tape, but, at three-hundred-sixty dollars for five days -- excluding hotels and meals -- the cost is too high for most mainlanders.

The tourism board still is looking for ways to make it easier for mainlanders to visit.

For example, Mr. Ho at the tourism board hopes the government extends a new Internet visa application program to mainland visitors. Now, only tourists from Taiwan can use the program. Mr. Ho says the board also wants the government to consider allowing individual mainlanders to visit without having to join a tour group. (Signed)

NEB/HK/KK/MAR/KPD/KBK