Hotels and tourists see tax as unneeded baggage The resumption of the 3 percent hotel accommodation tax on January 1 may deter tourists from visiting Hong Kong, some travelers say. Zhang, a university student from the mainland, said the increased accommodation costs that ensues as a result of the tax could impact her decision to visit. "As a student, I may struggle to find affordable accommodation if prices rise too high," Zhang said. Another mainland tourist said Hong Kong remains attractive as long as hotel rates can compete with those in South Korea, Japan and other Asian destinations. "However, if I find myself spending more on accommodation in Hong Kong than in Seoul, I will definitely choose the latter," he said. The guest house sector has called for a delay in the tax’s implementation, saying its customers are particularly sensitive to price changes. David Leung Tai-wai, founder and chairman of the Hong Kong Guesthouse Association, said the tourism industry has yet to recover from the pandemic. "While the number of tourists has returned to 70 percent of prepandemic levels, the number of overnight stays has decreased significantly, a 40 percent drop compared to before the pandemic," he said. He added that the impact of the tax on guesthouses is more pronounced given their lower price points. "Most of our customers are young people, students and backpackers who are particularly sensitive to price fluctuations." He stressed the need for more time to assess the effects of the resumed multiple-entry permits for Shenzhen residents and urged the administration to reconsider the tax's resumption. Timothy Chui Ting-pong, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, said the tax's impact on hotel bookings remains uncertain. "I believe the tax resumption will not ultimately deter tourists from visiting, as visitors are attracted to the city by more than just hotel accommodations," he said. "We need to focus on delivering quality services and promoting appealing tourist attractions." Chui expressed optimism about the influx of mainland tourists for the Lunar New Year, saying his hotel is already 70 percent booked, and expects increased bookings as the holiday nears. https://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news/section/4/269086/Hotels-and-tourists-see-tax-as-unneeded-baggage (ICE HONG KONG)

Fonte notizia: The Standard