Transcript of remarks by SCST at media session
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     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for the Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, at a media session after attending a radio programme this morning (February 4):

Reporter: Mr Yeung, you said the tourist numbers will depend on the situation. Can you say what situation is that? Because now outbound travellers are more than the inbound ones. And also the tourism sector urged for more support. Is the government also doing anything to support the sector in this recovery plan?

Secretary for the Culture, Sports and Tourism: When the tourist consider whether he or she will choose a particular place to visit, there of course are a number of factors. Like people in Hong Kong, we travel a lot. I'm sure you understand that there are factors to consider, for example, the tourist attractions in that particular place, whether you like it or not; the currency exchange rate would certainly be one of the factors that you would consider; the price level; the safety of that particular city; the convenience of that place. All these are factors that someone would decide whether he or she will visit a place. Now most of the restrictions are removed, I mean, for people travelling around especially between Hong Kong and the Mainland, I'm sure that more people will come to Hong Kong to visit, to enjoy the very beautiful scenery and also the many good tourist attractions.
 
     For the support to the tourism industry, we have been closely liaising with them during the past three years. We have been supporting them with relief measures. With the reopening of the border with the Mainland, we expected an increase in the number of tourists coming to Hong Kong. We will continue to maintain the liaison and see whether there are any  particular areas that they need more support from the government, both administratively and system-wise.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Saturday, February 4, 2023
Issued at HKT 10:41

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