'Tourism could account for about 5pc of GDP by 2029'

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law on Tuesday said she is confident the tourism sector could meet the government’s target in accounting for about five percent of the city's gross domestic product by 2029.

She made the remarks in an interview with South China Morning Post, saying she expects the annual number of visitors to keep growing.

Law said the target is not “aggressive”, given the city's track record in being a tourism hub.

Last year, the industry accounted for about three percent of the city's GDP.

“I think with improved connectivity, with high-speed rail and good cross-boundary facilities, it’s natural that the flow of people in Hong Kong and nearby cities, including Shenzhen, would improve and would increase,” she said.

“That is only natural.”

While many residents have headed to Shenzhen during weekends or on long holidays for its increasing number of attractions and low prices, the minister said it is “unrealistic” for the SAR to expect other cities, which compete with Hong Kong for tourists, to remain unchanged.

Instead, the city should continue to grow, she said, offering attractions that benefit locals and tourists alike.

"First of all is of course ensure that whatever we are offering to our local people, it should continue to be of good quality, value for money. But together, I think we also have to ensure that whatever we are offering to our visitors, from our nearby cities would be attractive, novel, and also value for money," the official said.

"This way, I think the flow of people, the flow of visitors will be mutually beneficial."

Looking ahead, Law said Hong Kong would continue to offer cultural experiences at historic buildings — similar to the old Yau Ma Tei police station exhibition — which she described as very successful.

“We are actually thinking of how to enrich it [the experience] even further, and to maybe even collaborate with nearby shops. One of them has already introduced a nostalgic theme in their packaging," she said.

"So I think that is a good potential of showing what Hong Kong is like, and what is uniquely Hong Kong to our visitors.”

Haw Par Mansion in Tai Hang, for instance, could showcase the unique East meets West cultural environment of the SAR, Law added.

The building, constructed more than 90 years ago, is widely celebrated for its unique style which blends Eastern and Western aesthetics into its architecture.

Edited by Tony Sabine ...