Policy Address 2024 | Developing visitor sources from Middle East and ASEAN to revitalize HK's tourism
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee delivers his third Policy Address today (Oct. 16) at the Legislative Council. He noted that the HKSAR Government will develop visitor sources from the Middle East and ASEAN to foster closer people ties with ASEAN countries and revitalize HK's tourism.
He said that the Government will actively encourage various sectors to enhance tourism-support measures to create a friendly environment for visitors, including providing information at the airport in Arabic and encouraging taxi fleets to provide fleet service information in Arabic, compiling a list of restaurants offering halal food, encouraging more commercial establishments to provide appropriate facilities, such as worship facilities in hotels, and stepping up staff training to strengthen their knowledge on receiving visitors from different cultural backgrounds.
In addition, he also noted that starting today (Oct. 16), the Government will relax the criteria for nationals of Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar applying for multiple-entry visas for travel and business and extend the validity period of multiple-entry visas for these countries from two years to three years. The arrangement also applies to Vietnamese, who have benefitted from the relaxation of the visa policy since last year.
Under a fast-track arrangement, HK will expedite the processing of visa applications from group visitors of ASEAN countries submitted via local travel agents.
Besides, self-service immigration clearance for invited persons participating in business, development, and related activities from the 10 ASEAN countries, as well as one-stop handling of their applications for self-service immigration clearance and visas, will be provided.
Effective today, the requirement for visitors to furnish an arrival or departure card is canceled, facilitating a faster and more convenient immigration clearance, Lee added.
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