Ease of restrictions in Hong Kong to boost return of MICE groups

At long last, the Hong Kong government is dropping most curbs on inbound visitors to the destination.

Until recently, travellers arriving in Hong Kong are subject to the “0+3” policy, issued an amber code on their health app, and cannot enter restaurants until they test negative after three days.

With the latest to remove the amber health code from Wednesday, 14 December, Hong Kong is adopting the 0+0 regime, effectively lifting all travel restrictions for arrivals into the city who test negative and allowing them to move freely.

The latest ease of restrictions in Hong Kong comes after mainland China continues to move away from its strict ‘zero-Covid’ strategy.

Welcoming the move, Dr Pang Yiu-kai, chairman of Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), said: “The new arrangements marks the opening of the tourism doors of Hong Kong. Upon fulfilling the vaccination and Covid-19 test requirements, visitors can now enjoy Hong Kong’s full range of diverse and exciting experiences, including our culinary offerings. We expect that the new measures will stimulate travellers interests in visiting Hong Kong.”

HKTB said it is anticipating an increase in incentive groups to Hong Kong, following further easing of restrictions on inbound travellers. Incentive groups from Southeast Asia have started to return to the city.

Meanwhile, the Cathay Pacific Group, which includes passenger airlines Cathay Pacific and HK Express, has already added about 3,000 passenger flight sectors in 4Q 2022, including resumption of flights for Cathay Pacific to popular destinations such as Tokyo (Haneda), Denpasar (Bali) and Zurich in November, as well as Sapporo, Fukuoka, Penang and Dhaka in December. More popular destinations are set to be resumed in 2023, including Phuket and Nagoya in January.

HK Express has resumed flights to Tokyo (Haneda), Chiang Mai and Danang in December, with services to Jeju and Busan in the pipeline for January.