BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT FOR TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
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Hong Kong College of Technology
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BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT FOR TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
Ease of movement and safety are some of the critical factors that influence tourism. For instance, bilateral tourism or tourists flow between two nations with disregard to their proximity is hugely dependant on the state of security and the ease of movement between these countries. With the threat posed to human life by COVID-19 and government measures adopted to prevent the spread and safeguard humanity, tourism has hugely been affected. In the past month, governments all over the globe have started relaxing these measures to revive the economy. For instance, in Hong Kong, the government has removed the 14-day mandatory quarantine for visitors from foreign nations. Choi (2020) argues that this, in addition to the numerous offered by travel agencies to tourists, would boost the tourism sector’s revival. Although these are some of the factors that influence tourism, their impacts may be affected by other factors.
The tourism industry is an umbrella industry that covers complex and diverse inter-industry linkages with additional sectors such as finance, retail, hotel, real estate, community-level operations, among other subsections. Therefore, with the travel offers and the relaxation of the quarantine requirements, traders, students are more likely to take advantage of this opportunity to travel to Hong Kong. Over the boarder-restriction period, some businesses have experienced shortages in the necessary commodities to run their daily operations. Given that Hong Kong is a business hub with international trade as the principal economic activity, it is likely that it will experience an influx of business tourists dealing in electrical and electronics, jewelry, plastics, and other products.
Destination management theories argue that there are additional factors that influence the attractiveness of a tourism destination. For instance, Howie (2003, p75) argues that irrespective of a tourist destination’s endowment in resources such as beautiful scenery, diverse marine life, and wildlife, fascinating culture, etc., tourism may be curtailed in the case these resources are inaccessible. For instance, following the protests experienced in the second half of 2019, stakeholders and experts have raised questions on the safety of Hong Kong as a tourist destination. After the spread of Covid-19, some governments, such as the United States, which is a crucial player in Hong Kong’s tourism through trade, have developed a negative attitude towards Chinese products. This may lead to a reduced influx of tourists from the United States, irrespective of these offers.
Jameison ( 2006) argues that tourism sustainable development goals attainment requires sound management and strategic planning of the destination community. Therefore, for the efforts to be practical, the government should end the political instability through community consultation. By doing so, Hong Kong tourism will increase as it is already endowed with significant tourist attractions.
In conclusion, although travel agencies and the Hong Kong government’s efforts to increase tourism may bear positive results, their effectiveness is affected by other factors such as the recent political instability and the negative attitude towards the Chinese after the COVID-19.
References
BBC News. 2019. Hong Kong Protests Explained In 100 And 500 Words. [online] Available at:
<https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-4931769> [Accessed 11 July 2020].
Choi, M., 2020. How Hong Kong Travel Agents Are Preparing For The Return Of Tourism.
[online] South China Morning Post. Available at:
https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3087749/movement-restrictions-are-not-stopping-hong-kong-travel-agencies [Accessed 11 July 2020].
Howie, F., 2003. Managing The Tourist Destination. 1st ed. London: Continuum, 1(3) pp.34-65.
Jamieson, W., 2006. The Challenges Of Sustainable Community Cultural Heritage Tourism.
[online] Ucalgary.ca. Available at: https://www.ucalgary.ca/ev/designresearch/projects/2000/cuc/tp/outreach/Walter%20Nepal.pdf [Accessed 11 July 2020].