China halts Hong Kong visas for tour groups
China has reportedly suspended visas for Chinese tour groups entering Hong Kong, according to Hong Kong’s travel trade body.
"I’m hearing this from a lot of travel agents in China that from today onwards they are not issuing any group permits for groups coming," said Joseph Tung, executive director of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong.
Tung said he has received no word that this is official government policy.
Tourist visas for individual Chinese travelers are still being processed but Tung said banning group travel would seriously impact the economy.
"A big portion of travel is from tour groups from mainland China," Tung said.
The vast majority of inbound visitors to Hong Kong come from the Chinese mainland.
In February the Hong Kong’s tourist board forecast 59 million visitors this year, of which 45 million are Chinese.
Thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators have been protesting on Hong Kong’s streets since the weekend demanding free and open elections.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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