Opinion | Utilize multiple-entry IVS effectively to promote economic and cultural exchange between Shenzhen and HK

On Dec. 1, China resumed and expanded the multiple-entry visa for Shenzhen residents to visit Hong Kong. Visas can now be processed as quickly as two minutes, prompting some Shenzhen residents to head to Hong Kong immediately upon receiving their visas. This initiative brings hope to Hong Kong's tourism, retail, and dining sectors. To make the most of the multiple-entry Individual Visit Scheme, Hong Kong needs to actively attract visitors and provide Shenzhen residents with reasons to come to the city.

Hong Kong can leverage its unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures to attract visitors with rich holiday atmospheres, complemented by local and international art performances, various exhibitions, forums, and innovation activities. This not only draws Shenzhen residents for shopping and tourism but also fosters deeper cultural and economic exchanges between the two cities, pushing for further collaborative development between the two regions.

On the first day of the multiple-entry visa resumption, Shenzhen residents responded excitedly. Local retail and dining establishments are optimistic about the upcoming Christmas and New Year seasons, with some estimating a two to three percent increase in business compared to last year. Some businesses in areas like Sheung Shui are even more optimistic, expecting a 50% surge in revenue next year. As Financial Secretary Paul Chan mentioned in his blog, this policy supports Hong Kong's tourism, retail, and dining industries and facilitates more convenient and efficient two-way travel, fostering closer economic and cultural exchanges.

However, to fully capitalize on the effects of the policy, Hong Kong needs to address the structural transformation in mainland consumer patterns. Shenzhen residents are shifting from a singular focus on shopping to embracing diverse cultural experiences such as tourism. Given that Shenzhen residents can now visit Hong Kong an unlimited number of times in a year, Hong Kong must provide more reasons for them to visit, presenting both opportunities and challenges for various sectors.

The local business community has realized the importance of innovating services to attract repeat customers. After the pandemic, mainland cultural and tourism industries have grown rapidly, with various customer-centric services ensuring comfort and convenience for travelers. Shenzhen residents accustomed to such services naturally expect superior and more personalized experiences in Hong Kong, known as the "City of Hospitality." This requires Hong Kong businesses to innovate services that blend Eastern and Western cultures, focusing on quality and personalized experiences.

Hong Kong's Christmas decorations and New Year countdown events have attracted mainland visitors in the past, and this year's displays will be particularly diverse and beautiful. Thus, the government and businesses should collaborate to promote Christmas and New Year activities, transportation arrangements, and discounts to Shenzhen residents, enhancing the warmth of cultural exchange between Shenzhen and Hong Kong during this festive season.

Furthermore, Hong Kong can leverage this opportunity to vigorously promote the construction of a center for international cultural and artistic exchanges. With performances like the Spanish "Vuela" ballet and the Hong Kong Ballet's classic "The Nutcracker" scheduled from December to January, along with concerts by popular artists like Priscilla Chan, combined with Hong Kong's annual multicultural arts festivals, effective promotion of these events can serve as compelling reasons for Shenzhen residents to visit.

Moreover, as a hub for international exhibitions, Hong Kong hosts various international expos and forums, serving as an excellent window for Shenzhen residents to understand global trends. With the increasing collaboration in innovation and technology between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, hosting various innovation events can attract more young people from Shenzhen. By viewing the multiple-entry visa not only as a commercial opportunity but also as a chance to enhance cultural exchanges and foster collaborative development in innovation and technology between the cities, it is believed that more and more Shenzhen residents will visit Hong Kong, further promoting the development of exchanges between the two regions.

(Source: Wen Wei Po)

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