Untitled Document

Misconceptions about Hong Kong

By Alison So

Kevin Lui
Kevin Lui

Mark Wilson Asian tourists spend more money shopping.

Hong Kong bears the reputation of a “shopper’s paradise” even though it is ranked the most expensive city in the world, according to a lifestyle study conducted by Mercer Human Resource Consulting.

“Food, drinks and accommodation are all expensive. But they are all fantastic,” said Mark Wilson, a tourist from New Zealand.

Nonetheless, two tourists from Japan said they believe the prices for shopping here are low.

Alan Wong, lecturer in the Department of Hotel and Tourism Management at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, explained that the difference in opinion reflects different consumption patterns between the East and the West. From his studies, tourists from Asia spend 60 percent of their budgets in Hong Kong on shopping. They are looking for the “shopper’s paradise”. Tourists from the West spend 50 percent to 60 percent of their budgets on accommodations. They want to find a place to rest.

The Deputy Commissioner of the Tourism Commission, Duncan W. Pescod, said that the prices in Hong Kong are actually falling. He pointed out that the increasing number of visitors proves that the tourists accept the prices in Hong Kong.

Despite the financial crisis in 1997, the number of visitors keeps increasing. The places of origin of these visitors, however, has shifted from the West to the East. The number of mainland Chinese visitors increased by 43 percent in 2001.

“The intense market competition in China brings tourists in Hong Kong”, explained he.

However, these Chinese visitors have a low level of satisfaction with the attitudes of people in service industries, according to the research conducted by Mr. Wong. They have the feeling they are being looked down upon and treated badly in retail shops.

“Hong Kong people are less friendly with tourists compared to other countries like Singapore,” said Joe Pereira, a tourist from Bombay.

To improve Hong Kong’s image, the Tourism Commission provides training courses to frontline personnel. However, Mr. Wong pointed out that these courses focus only on technical skills.

Said Mr. Wong: “We cannot improve the quality of service just by giving them courses.”

A few courses do not improve the service in shops and restaurants.

Mr. Pescod said he is not worried that Hong Kong might be replaced by other Asian cities.

China’s entry into the World Trade Organization confirms Hong Kong’s status.

For him, the city is still the politically stable gateway to China.

A major concern of Mr. Pescod is that tourists do not have a real picture of Hong Kong.

Most tourists interviewed do not know about advantages and attractions like the convenient transportation system and the region’scultural heritage.

Hostels and hotels lack tourist guides. Hotel and hostel employes do not even know where to refer tourists to get more information.

Away from Hong Kong, however, tourism offices in Europe have carried out aggressive marketing campaigns to promote the city, according to Mr. Pescod.

Mr. Wong, on the other hand, suggested that the government should make the tourism industry sustainable.

Cultural tourism, eco-tourism and even cruises should be developed.

Disneyland alone is not enough to promote Hong Kong and to retain its status.

In addition, he suggested that some education tours for the elderly should be organized.

Although they may not contribute a lot, they would diversify the tourism market. Most importantly, Hong Kong should work with its competitors within the Pearl River Delta to enhance its image and to attract more tourists.

“Hong Kong is losing its international prestige,” said New Zealand tourist Mr. Wilson.

“If the government does not promote Hong Kong more overseas, in five years, few people abroad will know where Hong Kong is.”

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Kevin Lui	Kevin Lui

Mark Wilson	Asian tourists spend more money shopping.
Hong Kong bears the reputation of a “shopper’s paradise” even though it is ranked the most expensive city in the world, according to a lifestyle study conducted by Mercer Human Resource Consulting. “Food, drinks and accommodation are all expensive. But they are all fantastic,” said Mark Wilson, a tourist from New Zealand. Nonetheless, two tourists from Japan said they believe the prices for shopping here are low. Alan Wong, lecturer in the Department of Hotel and Tourism Management at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, explained that the difference in opinion reflects different consumption patterns between the East and the West. From his studies, tourists from Asia spend 60 percent of their budgets in Hong Kong on shopping. They are looking for the “shopper’s paradise”. Tourists from the West spend 50 percent to 60 percent of their budgets on accommodations. They want to find a place to rest. The Deputy Commissioner of the Tourism Commission, Duncan W. Pescod, said that the prices in Hong Kong are actually falling. He pointed out that the increasing number of visitors proves that the tourists accept the prices in Hong Kong. Despite the financial crisis in 1997, the number of visitors keeps increasing. The places of origin of these visitors, however, has shifted from the West to the East. The number of mainland Chinese visitors increased by 43 percent in 2001. “The intense market competition in China brings tourists in Hong Kong”, explained he. However, these Chinese visitors have a low level of satisfaction with the attitudes of people in service industries, according to the research conducted by Mr. Wong. They have the feeling they are being looked down upon and treated badly in retail shops. “Hong Kong people are less friendly with tourists compared to other countries like Singapore,” said Joe Pereira, a tourist from Bombay. To improve Hong Kong’s image, the Tourism Commission provides training courses to frontline personnel. However, Mr. Wong pointed out that these courses focus only on technical skills. Said Mr. Wong: “We cannot improve the quality of service just by giving them courses.” A few courses do not improve the service in shops and restaurants. Mr. Pescod said he is not worried that Hong Kong might be replaced by other Asian cities. China’s entry into the World Trade Organization confirms Hong Kong’s status. For him, the city is still the politically stable gateway to China. A major concern of Mr. Pescod is that tourists do not have a real picture of Hong Kong. Most tourists interviewed do not know about advantages and attractions like the convenient transportation system and the region’scultural heritage. Hostels and hotels lack tourist guides. Hotel and hostel employes do not even know where to refer tourists to get more information. Away from Hong Kong, however, tourism offices in Europe have carried out aggressive marketing campaigns to promote the city, according to Mr. Pescod. Mr. Wong, on the other hand, suggested that the government should make the tourism industry sustainable. Cultural tourism, eco-tourism and even cruises should be developed. Disneyland alone is not enough to promote Hong Kong and to retain its status. In addition, he suggested that some education tours for the elderly should be organized. Although they may not contribute a lot, they would diversify the tourism market. Most importantly, Hong Kong should work with its competitors within the Pearl River Delta to enhance its image and to attract more tourists. “Hong Kong is losing its international prestige,” said New Zealand tourist Mr. Wilson. “If the government does not promote Hong Kong more overseas, in five years, few people abroad will know where Hong Kong is.”