Hong Kong ¨C Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly stressed the importance of opening up to the outside world over the past five years, saying, ¡°China¡¯s opening-up will not stop, and the door will only open wider to the world.¡±
But for the tourism industry, such pronouncements have not translated into tangible outcomes, mainly due to the abrupt halt of tourism due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw China strictly implement prevention and control measures.
Five months after China resumed issuing all types of visas and half a year after it reopened its border following a three-year closure, the tourism sector is now being tasked with lending a helping hand as the world¡¯s second-largest economy struggles with COVID-related aftershocks and demographic challenges. However, an expected influx of international visitors has not yet emerged.
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