Hong Kong needs to maintain its hospitable image as declining visitor numbers are affecting tourism-related businesses, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Leung Chun-ying said on Tuesday.
Speaking at an Executive Council meeting, Leung said that while there are a variety of reasons for the decline, in the past year Hong Kong has seen protests targeting visitors, which demands special attention.
Leung said he does not want to see any violence against tourists, and will not condone any actions which hurt Hong Kong's reputation as a tourist city.
Tourism is important for Hong Kong, especially in creating job opportunities for many at the grassroots level, and the HKSAR government has spared no effort in promoting Hong Kong tourism overseas and on the Chinese mainland, Leung said.
He also said he is willing to listen to advice on tourism development and hopes society can work together to protect the city's tourist-friendly reputation.
Total visitor arrivals fell 8.4 percent year-on-year in July to 4.9 million, with those from the Chinese mainland having dropped 9. 8 percent to 3.8 million, according to the data released by the Hong Kong Tourism Board on Monday.
