FTU urges HK$100mn plan to get locals touring HK

The FTU suggests a subsidy of HK$120 per head to get local people to visit islands and country parks. Photo: RTHK

The Federation of Trade Unions has urged the government to fork out HK$100 million to boost local tourism by subsiding residents to join local tours.



The federation’s vice-chairwoman, Sara Leung, said the government should pay around HK$120 for each resident to join local day tours – to places like the islands or the countryside – so as to boost trade for businesses, while relieving people's stress.



Leung said many residents are not well versed about the outlying islands and country parks. She said if people go out of the city and have a family tour around these areas, it will lift their spirits.



The pro-establishment group said the plan can help to sustain battered sectors like the tourism, hotel and catering sectors who have been badly hit by over five months of protests.



It said travel tours in Hong Kong have dropped by 90 percent, with fewer than 20 groups coming from the mainland each day.



It added that over 300 restaurants have closed down and it’s worried that the situation may continue until next year’s Lunar New Year holiday.