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The New Wave of Local Tourism 本土游，新热潮 By PHK's Human Resources Department 文:香港大众人力资源部 The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed our lives over the last two years. Working from home, online-based learning, and online shopping have all become part of this new normal. To reduce the risk of imported cases, control measures such as border closures, compulsory testing, and quarantine orders have been implemented across the globe. Unable to go abroad, Hongkongers who love to travel have turned to new alternatives! Statistics released by the Hong Kong Tourism Board reveal that visitors to Hong Kong have fallen by over 90% since the pandemic began. With their survival threatened, hotels have launched various promotions to attract local tourists, with all-in-one packages of food, lodging, and entertainment leading to an upsurge in the popularity of staycations. The many options for staycations compare favourably to the sunny beaches, delicious food, gorgeous scenery, hot springs, and massages of overseas travel. Hotels have put together attractive packages with complimentary buffet and breakfast. Five-star hotels have also launched super-value packages, halving the prices of suites that would have normally cost HK$4,000 to HK$5,000 a night. Adopting a “you only live once” mentality, consumers have taken the opportunity to experience what would normally be a much more expensive stay at these hotels. Staycations have helped hotels bring in significant revenue from local guests. The Great Outdoors Outdoor activities have become popular as well. Hong Kong’s 24 country parks and 22 special areas encompass a total of 443 square kilometres. The country parks are scattered all over Hong Kong, across mountainous, forested, pond, and coastal areas, making for beautiful scenery. For the public’s convenience, four main hiking trails span multiple country parks, being the MacLehose Trail (100 kilometres) across the New Territories, from Sai Kung in the east to Tuen Mun in the west; the Wilson Trail (78 kilometres), stretching from Stanley in the south to Pat Sin Leng in the north; the Phoenix Trail (70 kilometres) on Lantau Island; and the Hong Kong Island Trail (50 kilometres), spanning five country parks. 2 Information About Outdoor Activities in Hong Kong 香港户外活动资讯 • Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department website 渔农自然护理署网站:https://www.hiking.gov.hk/trail • Hong Kong Tourism Board website 香港旅游发展局网站:https://www.discoverhongkong.com/tc/explore/great-outdoor.html 6 6 p - 2 - p o o p pu u l la a r rn n e e w w s s 1 1 3 3 7 7