Law upbeat over HK's appeal to overnight tourists

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law on Saturday expressed confidence on Saturday in Hong Kong's appeal to overnight tourists given the array of events coming up. Speaking after officiating at a pickleball competition, she said the SAR could expect 53.8 million tourists this year, with the latest cycle of hostilities in the Middle East having a minimal impact on the number of travellers coming here for sports and cultural events. "We have just started Art March this week, with Art Central and Art Basel happening next week and ComplexCon starting this morning – in which there's something for everyone, with art product options that are trendy and high-end," Law said. In preparation for the influxes of visitors during Golden Week periods, she added, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau will hold meetings with Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk to come up with measures to divert travellers to sites that offer attractions that are less mainstream. As for the booking and fee system slated to be implemented no later than this year's National Day Golden Week at popular country sites, Law said the bureau would work with the Environment and Ecology Bureau on arrangements and the provision of real-time information that enables tourists to plan ahead. Edited by Thomas McAlinden