It’s a move that will certainly spark renewed interest in Chinese visits to Canada, and Canadian visits to Asia.
The Canadian government today (March 17) ended travel restrictions on passengers flying in from the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong and Macao. That should provide a considerable boost for tourism in Western Canadian provinces, who rely on wealthy Chinese and Hong Kong residents for steady business, especially in the busy summer season.
This means that there are no longer any federal COVID-19 border measures in place for Canada. And that’s quite something.
| “We welcome the removal of pre-departure test requirements for travellers from Hong Kong. Along with the relaxation of most travel restrictions in Hong Kong and the elimination of the city’s mask mandate, it is now more convenient for Canadians to visit Hong Kong,” said Michael Lim, Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) Director for Canada, Central & South America. “We look forward to welcoming our Canadian friends to immerse themselves in our rich culture, thriving arts scene, world-class dining, and breathtaking outdoors.”
In February, Hong Kong recorded a provisional visitor arrival of 1.462 million, three times January’s numbers, and the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began in February 2020 that visitor figures have surpassed one million, representing a substantial 30% of pre-pandemic levels. |
| In a bid to attract more international visitors, the HKTB recently unveiled its “Hello Hong Kong” global campaign, featuring 500,000 air ticket giveaways (with Canadians covering taxes and other fees) and 1 million visitor vouchers. HKTB Executive Director, Dane Cheng, highlighted three pivotal strategies to rejuvenate Hong Kong’s tourism industry:
Launching the “Hello Hong Kong” campaign worldwide, featuring promotional content on 3,000 platforms and thematic videos with celebrities and influencers, highlighting the city’s exciting experiences. Offering 500,000 air ticket giveaways through Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong Express, and Hong Kong Airlines, as well as over 16,000 welcoming offers and 1 million “Hong Kong Goodies” visitor consumption vouchers for use at bars, restaurants, hotels, and other establishments. Showcasing new attractions, including M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, the new Peak Tram, Water World Ocean Park, and Hong Kong Disneyland’s “Momentous” show. Hong Kong will also host more than 250 events and festivals in 2023 and over 100 international MICE events, highlighting the city’s diverse appeal. To learn more about Hello Hong Kong and the Hong Kong goodies, Canadians can log on to DiscoverHongKong.com/ca. |
Hong Kong at night. Andres Garcia/Unsplash Photo
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, to protect the health and safety of Canadians, the Government of Canada has taken a prudent and measured approach to adjusting border measures,” Canadian government officials said in a press release issued on Thursday, March 16. “On January 5, 2023, in response to the surge of COVID-19 in the People’s Republic of China and given the limited data available at that time on those cases, the Government of Canada put in place temporary pre-departure test requirements for air travellers entering Canada from the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong or Macao.
“Today, the Government of Canada announced it will remove those temporary measures. As of 12:01 a.m. EDT on March 17, 2023, air travellers to Canada on flights originating from the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong or Macao will no longer be required to provide evidence of a COVID-19 test result before boarding.”
Since Canada and other countries put in place temporary border measures in January 2023, data from China, the international community, and wastewater sampling conducted in Canada, have not detected any new variants of concern, officials said. In addition, the COVID-19 situation in both China and Canada has improved, and Canadian healthcare systems remain stable.
The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to recommend that individuals wear well-constructed and well-fitted masks during their travel on planes and in airports, or other crowded indoor settings. Individuals should not travel if they have symptoms of COVID-19.
