1 January 2004 - Shantou (ÉÇÃ), Chaozhou ( ±ÖÃ"), Meizhou (aÖÃ"), Zhaoqing (
Ç), Yunfu (' ¸á),Qingyuan(Çå ¶).
Source of Information: Ministry of Public Security (7 August 2003) and News (31 December 2003).
The reason for launching individual visit scheme.
The main reason for launching the Individual Visit Scheme was to boost the economy of Hong Kong.
The outbreak of the SARS from March to June 2003 scared away visitors both from mainland China and overseas countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. At that time, the number of visitors dropped to a level that was unprecendently low in recent years. The tourism industry, retail and other related industries were adversely affected, what made the employment situation worsen. The economy of Hong Kong retrogressed.
In the darkest hour, Hong Kong government must implement some measures to revitalize the economy. Therefore, supported by central government the Individual Visit Scheme was introduced, giving Hong Kong a boost.
The effects of individual visit scheme.
•á. Positive effects.
• ±New engine of Hong Kong's economy revival .
Hong Kong is one of the most tourism-oriented economics in the world. Underpinned by the sustained surge in Mainland visitors coming under the individual visit scheme, tourism provided visible impetus on economy of Hong Kong.
•Ågive energy to the growth of Hong Kong's economy.
Tourism is a reflection of the economy. The increase in the number of mainland tourists greatly benefits the economy of Hong Kong and it also shows that the economy is on an upward track.
The high quality of product, selection, and customer service in Hong Kong attract mainland tourists. The effect of the Individual Visit Scheme is immediately apparent. After the scheme started at the end of July 2003, growth in Mainland tourists surged to 34.
