There is a lack of drivers and technicians to operate and maintain the buses as many have left the industry during the period the sector was shut down. Many of these tour buses have fallen into disrepair.
In one instance, a 3,000-member business delegation from the mainland changed their overnight trip to a day trip, as there were not enough night coaches available.
“The tourism industry has lost more than half to 70 per cent of its operating capacity compared to 2019,” said Mr Timothy Chui, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association.
“If the government can provide loans or financial assistance for the operators to repair the buses as soon as possible, then they could cater to the demand of the tour groups.”
CAN THE GOVERNMENT DO MORE?
To ensure that the tourism campaign can generate the revenue it needs, audit firm KPMG has called on the government to disburse a further round of consumption vouchers.
This time, authorities should restrict part of the amount to food catering and tourism to spur their recovery, said industry players.
However, given the expected huge deficit, it is unclear if the government will dip further into its coffers.
Hong Kong’s reserves have depleted to around US$100 billion, half of the levels from three years ago. Gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 3.5 per cent last year.
“The consumption vouchers did cushion the negative demand shock during the pandemic,” said Dr Wong.
“Hong Kong is now returning to normal – we removed most pandemic control measures, and so to me, it sounds more reasonable to gradually remove those ad hoc relief measures, including the consumption voucher scheme.”
Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary Paul Chan has said he expects a stronger recovery from the second quarter of this year.