The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has extended the validity of multiple-entry visas for travel and business purposes for nationals of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.
The Chief executive of HKSAR, John Lee, said on Wednesday the validity period of multiple-entry visas for these countries will be extended from two years to three years, effective immediately, VisaGuide.World reports.
Lee said the decision would also include nationals from Vietnam, who benefited from the relaxation of the visa policy since 2023.
He added that the move aims to tighten connections with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), respectively, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Burma, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Laos, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam.
In addition, we will provide self-service immigration clearance for invited persons participating in business, development and related activities from the 10 ASEAN countries, and provide one-stop handling of their applications for self-service immigration clearance and visa through a dedicated desk.
Furthermore, Lee noted that the requirement to provide an arrival or departure card is canceled, effective immediately.
Hong Kong Aims to Attract ASEAN & Middle East Tourists
Recently, Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu has announced plans to attract tourists from the ASEAN and Middle East regions.
He said the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau will publish the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0 this year, focusing on promoting sports, culture and ecology.
The government will also aim to attract tourists by creating a friendly environment for international visitors.
The Hong Kong leader, John Lee Ka-chiu, added that the government aims to develop eco-tourism and explore more itineraries with characteristics related to countryside and coastal routes, such as tours in Yan Chau Tong.
In addition, the Hong Kong Jockey Club said it will collaborate with relevant government departments to take horse racing tourism forward.
21 Million Tourists in the First Half of 2024
Hong Kong’s economy relies significantly on the tourism industry. The statistics from the Tourism Board revealed that 21 million visitors entered Hong Kong in the first half of 2024, accounting for a 64 percent yearly increase.
However, the same source revealed that these tourists spent fewer nights in the city compared to the statistics for the same period in 2023.
According to the Tourism Board, the number of nights that tourists spent in Hong Kong decreased to 3.2 on average for a period between January and June this year, down from 4.9 compared to the first quarter of 2023.