Interview on the Development of Hong Kong Tourism and Hotel Industry

15 Jan 2025
Dr Michael LAI, Assistant Professor of the Rita Tong Liu School of Business and Hospitality Management, SFU, was invited to join the RTHK programme 'CIBS: Hotels' on 15 January 2025, and shared his view on the future of Hong Kong Tourism, such as the development of Characteristic Tourism and Themed Hotels, in order to promote the competitiveness of Hong Kong Tourism. 

The Hong Kong government announced the "Development Blueprint for Hong Kong's Tourism Industry 2.0" at the end of 2024, and according to Dr LAI, it reveals how the government will strategically plan the development of tourism in the next few years, and how the government and the industry have started a diversifed development, describing the future of Hong Kong's tourism industry as "optimistic, but full of challenges". Dr LAI added that tourists mainly visit busy districts and tourist spots such as Mongkok and Tsim Sha Tsui, and he believed that it is possible to develop undiscovered scenic spots or forgotten sites in the countryside, and even promote local agriculture through tourism.

Dr LAI said themed hotels were popular during COVID because Hong Kong people were unable to travel, but afterwards, the industry should explore new themes to furthur develop this sector. As Dr LAI studied tourism in Japan for his doctoral degree, he added that popular anime and manga are used as temporary hotel themes there, and suggested that Hong Kong could take reference and pay attention to popular trends to increase competitiveness. He added that when choosing a hotel theme, it should not only be trendy, but also unique, matching the local culture, history and environment, and creating an "immersive experience".

The related media coverage is in Chinese version only

Please visit: CIBS: Hotels - EP3
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