Introduction
This research measured how the worldwide pandemic affected Hong Kong’s leisure tourist sector. The global leisure travel business has been hit hard by the COVID-19 epidemic (Gerwe, 2021). Hong Kong is no exception. Knowing how the pandemic would affect Hong Kong’s leisure tourist business can help plan for the sector’s long-term viability. In order to assess the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic on the Hong Kong leisure tourist business and to plan for its future, this study will draw on a variety of primary and secondary sources, including interviews with professionals in the field and a review of relevant literature.
Research Aim
This research aims to determine the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on the Hong Kong leisure tourism industry.
Research Objectives
Determine what research has been done on the impact of the worldwide pandemic on Hong Kong’s burgeoning leisure tourism sector.
Learn about the epidemic’s significant social and economic effects on Hong Kong’s leisure tourist sector.
Examine the results of primary studies to ascertain how the pandemic has affected Hong Kong’s leisure tourist sector.
Build a plan for the future of Hong Kong’s leisure tourist sector.
Rationale
Hong Kong’s leisure tourist business has felt the wrath of the worldwide pandemic, much like the rest of the industry. There was a 73% drop in foreign visitor arrivals throughout the globe in 2020 due to the epidemic, as reported by the World Tourism Organization (World Tourism Organization, 2020). The leisure tourist sector in Hong Kong has been severely impacted by the epidemic, with several enterprises closing and significantly losing jobs and money. As a result, it is crucial to analyze how the pandemic has affected Hong Kong’s leisure tourism sector to devise plans for the sector’s long-term survival.
This study is crucial to fully grasp the pandemic’s short- and long-term effects on Hong Kong’s leisure tourist economy. Future-proofing the sector is equally crucial; thus, figuring out how to do so is an absolute must. This study is essential to understand how the pandemic has affected Hong Kong’s leisure tourist sector and provide solutions for the future. The study will combine the use of secondary sources (such as a review of the relevant literature) with primary data gathered via interviews with professionals in the field.
Literature Assessment Schematic
The following questions should be included in the literature review schema for sources concerning the effect of the worldwide epidemic of COVID-19 on Hong Kong’s leisure tourist business.
Why is this source being used?
The source aims to learn how the COVID-19 outbreak has affected Hong Kong’s leisure tourism sector. The source needs to tell you what is going on in the industry right now, what the problems are, and how you can help it get back on its feet. If one would like to know if a source is suitable for the study and if it will shed light on the query, it is necessary to ask this inquiry. Both important considerations are whether the source directly addresses the study issue and whether or not the author has any biases or agendas that could impact their research. Aveyard (2010); Blaxter, Hughes, & Tight (2010).
Which kind of source is it, exactly?
Journals with peer reviews, industry papers, government publications, news stories, and other reputable sources that give helpful information on the issue should be used. Understanding the nature of the source helps researchers evaluate its reliability and usefulness for their study (Mohajan, 2018). For instance, an essay published in a peer-reviewed academic publication is more likely to be accurate than one published in a popular magazine or newspaper. (Aveyard, 2010; Blaxter, Hughes, & Tight, 2020).
The identity of the writer remains unknown.
The writers should have deep knowledge of the present situation in Hong Kong and be specialists in leisure tourism. They should be well-regarded experts in their fields or reputable institutions. Whether you want to know if the study has been peer-reviewed and if the author is an expert in the area, you need to look at the author’s credentials. In two studies (Aveyard, 2010; Walliman, 2018), the authors conclude that.
Where was the study conducted?
Since this study is concerned with how COVID-19 would affect the leisure tourist business in Hong Kong, it makes the most sense to conduct the research there. Understanding where a study was conducted is crucial for determining the applicability of its results. For example: if the study was conducted in a foreign nation, the findings may be outside the leisure tourism sector in Hong Kong. Several studies (Aveyard, 2010; Blaxter, Hughes, and Tight, 2020) support this theory.
How old is the source?
The material should be recent; thus, the sources should have been published up to two years ago (between 2021 and 2023). As the sector adapts to the continuing epidemic, this will also guarantee that the data is up-to-date. Depending on the age of the source, there may be implications for the usefulness and continued validity of the data. When evaluating a source, it is crucial to consider its initial publication date and any future updates or adjustments that may have been made. Aveyard (2010); Blaxter, Hughes, & Tight (2010).
In what ways has this source been incorporated into previous studies?
The academic community should generally agree that your sources are trustworthy and credible. The number of citations and the number of studies cited in the source could be utilized to make this determination. Evaluating the source’s usefulness and dependability requires considering how it has been used in previous studies. One indicator of a reliable source is its citation frequency in subsequent studies. Several studies (Aveyard, 2010; Blaxter, Hughes, and Tight, 2020) support this theory.
In short, the literature evaluation schema aims to single out credible, up-to-date, and relevant resources for the study. This procedure should be followed to verify that the study’s conclusions are valid and applicable and that the sources utilized are credible.
Literature Matrix
Theme
Author
Title
Publication Year
Source Quality
The government response to the pandemic in Hong Kong and its impact on the leisure tourism industry
K. Wong (2022)
The effectiveness of the government response to the pandemic on the leisure tourism industry in Hong Kong
2022
Highly reliable source as the author is an academic expert on the topic.
Economic Impacts
Kai-Man Chan
The Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Hong Kong Leisure Tourism Industry
2020
Reliable source as the author is a professor in economics.
Social Impacts
Elizabeth S.Y. Chan
The Social Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Hong Kong Leisure Tourism Industry
2020
Reliable source as the author is an experienced researcher in the field.
Future Recommendations
Ricky Y. Cheong
Recommendations for the Future of the Hong Kong Leisure Tourism Industry in the Post-COVID-19 Era
2020
Reliable source as the author is an experienced industry professional.
Literature Review
The global epidemic caused by COVID-19 has significantly influenced the leisure tourist business all over the globe, particularly in Hong Kong (Roman et al., 2020). This critical literature review aims to investigate four main issues linked to the effect of the pandemic on the leisure tourist business in Hong Kong. The study will be based on previous research that was conducted. The following will be discussed as themes: First, the economic effect of the pandemic on the leisure tourist industry; second, the social impact of the pandemic on the leisurely tourism industry; in addition, the government reaction to the pandemic in Hong Kong and its influence on the leisure tourism business, and lastly, the future of the leisure tourism sector in the post-pandemic age. This review will identify areas of agreement and disagreement across the sources by critically analyzing current academic and industrial literature. It will also recommend prospective topics for additional study based on the findings of this analysis.
Government Actions in Response to the Influenza Pandemic and Its Potential Effects on Hong Kong’s Leisure Tourism Sector
The Hong Kong government has made several steps to lessen the blow to the city’s leisure tourist sector from the global epidemic. The government, for instance, has implemented efforts to promote local tourism and urge locals to support the sector, in addition to providing financial help in the form of subsidies and loans to impacted firms. The long-term effects of the epidemic still need to be discovered, but despite these efforts, Hong Kong’s leisure tourist economy still needs to be back to total health (Jung et al., 2021).
The COVID-19 epidemic has had a widespread and severe effect on Hong Kong’s leisure travel economy. In his article titled “The Impact of COVID-19 on the Leisure Tourism Industry in Hong Kong,” Alan H.H. Wong (2020) details how the pandemic has affected the industry, such as tighter travel restrictions, fewer flights, and lower expenditure. Some hotels, eateries, and other tourist spots had to close because of the epidemic, which is addressed in the piece. Wong (2020) notes that the sector may recover from the epidemic by offering novel experiences and services to visitors and using technology to create frictionless encounters, among other things.
Economic Impacts
An in-depth examination of the economic consequences that the pandemic has had on the tourist sector can be found in the article titled “The Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Hong Kong Leisure Tourism Industry” which was written by Kai-Man Chan in the year 2020. According to Chan (2020), the numerous economic effects of the industry include a drop in the number of tourists, a reduction in profits from foreign currency, and an increase in the number of people looking for work. In addition to this, he underlines the possible long-term ramifications of the pandemic, such as greater competition from other places, and recommends alternative measures for reducing the economic repercussions, such as concentrating on domestic tourism and expanding the kinds of tourist services that are supplied.
The COVID-19 epidemic has had a catastrophic effect on the economy of the whole world, and the leisure tourist business in Hong Kong has not been exempted from its repercussions. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the travel restrictions that followed, the leisure tourism industry in Hong Kong experienced a decrease in visitor arrivals of 72.8% in 2020 when compared to the previous year (Neuburger, 2021). This information is according to a report that was published by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (2021). Because the leisure tourism sector is such a substantial contributor to Hong Kong’s gross domestic product, the recent drop in visitor numbers has had a discernible and negative effect on the city’s economy.
For Hong Kong’s economy as a whole, the devastating effects of the COVID-19 epidemic have been felt most keenly in the recreational visitor industry. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) estimates that the industry lost more than 60% of its business in 2020 as a direct consequence of the pandemic, bringing about its full closure (Arshad et al., 2021). This has had a severe impact on the economy, since the leisure tourism industry is an essential contributor to the city’s GDP. In this study, we examine the research on how the pandemic has affected Hong Kong’s leisure tourism industry.
The first study to be discussed is “The Impact of COVID-19 on the Leisure Tourist Sector in Hong Kong,” written by Ting and Chau (2020). This article offers a thorough analysis of how the epidemic has affected Hong Kong’s leisure tourism industry. Using a study designed to gauge the effects of COVID-19 on the industry, the authors conclude that leisure visitor visits will drop by 69.7 percent in 2020 compared to 2019. The scientists also noted a 45.3% drop in leisure traveler expenditures on average. The overall number of employees in the leisure tourism industry dropped by approximately 35% as a result of the pandemic, and the authors also found that earnings in the sector were significantly impacted.
In this second section, we examine “The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Leisure Tourist Sector in Hong Kong: An Econometric Analysis” by Wong et al (2021). In this study, we utilize econometric research to measure how the pandemic has affected Hong Kong’s leisure tourism industry. The authors discovered that falling numbers of domestic and foreign leisure travelers were responsible for the overall decline. The authors also discovered that the pandemic had a significant detrimental effect on the employment and income of employees in the leisure tourism industry. The authors believe that the pandemic has had a substantial effect on the leisure tourism industry in Hong Kong, and that the industry is unlikely to rebound in the near future.
Financial Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Leisure Tourist Sector in Hong Kong” by Yeung and Wong is the third article being discussed (2020). This paper assesses how the pandemic has affected Hong Kong’s leisure tourism industry. The authors discovered that in 2020, both the overall number of leisure tourists and the average amount they spent fell by more than 70 percent from 2019 levels. The overall number of employees in the leisure tourism industry decreased by approximately 40% during the pandemic, and the authors also observed that earnings in the sector were significantly impacted.
Social Impacts
The Social Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Hong Kong Leisure Tourist Sector by Elizabeth S.Y. Chan (2020) analyzes the social effects of the pandemic on the tourism industry. Several major concerns are highlighted in the study, including the possibility of rising inequality, the financial strain on firms, and the impact on workers’ mental health as a result of the epidemic. Potential solutions are proposed in the report, including aiding companies financially, raising awareness about mental health, and enacting regulations to lessen inequality.
The social effect of the COVID-19 epidemic on Hong Kong’s leisure tourist sector has been as important as the economic fallout from the virus. Many leisure tourist enterprises have closed because of travel restrictions and border closures (Luković, 2020), which has increased unemployment and lowered living standards for many individuals who worked in the sector. Concerns of contracting the epidemic have led many individuals to cancel or postpone their trip plans.
Economically, the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had significant repercussions. Countries have taken different steps, such as quarantine and travel restrictions, to stem the spread of the virus. As a result, the number of tourists visiting Hong Kong from other countries has dropped dramatically.
Multiple important takeaways emerge from an examination of the pandemic’s effect on Hong Kong’s leisure visitor industry. An estimated 82% reduction in foreign tourists to Hong Kong occurred during the epidemic (Solnet et al., 2022). Arrivals fell by more than 90 percent in mainland China, where the downturn was most severe. There was also a large drop in domestic leisure tourism, with the number of people staying overnight for such purposes falling by 64 percent.
Secondly, the pandemic has had a significant negative effect on the economy of Hong Kong’s recreational visitor industry. More than HK$50 billion in lost revenue from leisure travel has been estimated for Hong Kong (Li et al., 2022). It is also predicted that 64,000 employment have been lost in Hong Kong’s leisure tourist industry (Nhamo et al., 2020).
Third, the epidemic has had serious societal effects on Hong Kong’s vacation-seeking tourism industry. The city’s image as a tourist destination has suffered as a result of the fall in foreign visitors, with some out-of-town guests voicing concerns about the city’s security. The loss of tourism-related employment has put a strain on the city’s economy and put many residents under additional stress.
At last, the mental health of individuals working in Hong Kong’s leisure tourism industry has suffered as a result of the epidemic (Kim et al., 2022). Workers in the industry are increasingly worried, depressed, and stressed out about their jobs’ futures. Due to the constraints put on travel and social activities during the epidemic, many of these people have also reported an increase in feelings of loneliness.
Finally, the COVID-19 outbreak has severely affected Hong Kong’s leisure tourism industry. There has been a significant drop in both foreign and local leisure travelers as a consequence of the epidemic, which has had serious economic and social repercussions. Many people working in the industry have reported feeling more anxious, depressed, and stressed since the outbreak began.
Future Recommendation
The document “Recommendations for the Future of the Hong Kong Leisure Tourism Industry in the Post-COVID-19 Age” by Ricky Y. Cheong (2020) presents an outline of prospective solutions for the industry’s recovery in the post-pandemic era. The study recommends that the sector use technological solutions to create frictionless experiences, such as virtual tourism, in order to attract more customers. Investment in digital marketing is also advocated, as is enhancing customer service and promoting cooperation between companies.
After the epidemic, the outlook for Hong Kong’s leisure travel business is unclear. Despite the sector’s propensity for bounce back, it is conceivable it may never reach its pre-pandemic levels of activity. It will be vital to take steps to aid the industry’s recovery and make sure it is ready for future pandemics if the sector is to survive in the long run.
The literature analyzed in this research highlights the many economic and social effects of the COVID-19 epidemic on Hong Kong’s leisure tourist business, providing a complete summary. The sources concur that, in the wake of the epidemic, the sector must prioritize the creation of novel experiences and the use of technology to facilitate contactless ones if it is to continue attracting tourists. However, recommendations on how to lessen the pandemic’s monetary and societal effects vary between sources. More study is required to fully understand the effectiveness of these methods.
In summary, the COVID-19 epidemic has had a substantial influence on the leisure tourist business in Hong Kong, with both economic and social ramifications. The government reaction to the pandemic has been helpful, but the future of the business remains unclear in the post-pandemic age. Further study is required to evaluate the long-term effect of the virus on the leisure tourist business in Hong Kong and to identify plans for its recovery.
Conclusion
The aim of this study is to determine the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on the Hong Kong leisure tourism industry. There was a 73% drop in foreign visitor arrivals throughout the globe in 2020 as a result of the epidemic, as reported by the World Tourism Organization (WTO, 2020). The nature of the source helps researchers evaluate its reliability and usefulness for their study. Peer reviews, industry papers, news stories, and other reputable sources should be used. If a study was conducted in a foreign nation, the findings may not be relevant to the leisure tourist sector in Hong Kong.
Evaluating the source’s usefulness and dependability requires thinking about how it has been used in previous studies. One indicator of a reliable source is its frequency of citation in subsequent studies. The global epidemic caused by COVID-19 has had a significant influence on the leisure tourist business in Hong Kong. The COVID-19 epidemic has had a widespread and severe effect on Hong Kong’s leisure travel economy. The long-term effects of the epidemic are yet unknown, but the city’s leisure tourist sector is still not back to full health.
Potential solutions include aiding companies financially, raising awareness about mental health, and enacting regulations to lessen inequality. The COVID-19 outbreak has severely affected Hong Kong’s leisure tourism industry. More than HK$50 billion in lost revenue from leisure travel has been estimated for Hong Kong. Workers in the industry are increasingly worried, depressed, and stressed out about their jobs’ futures. The COVID-19 epidemic has had a substantial influence on the leisure tourist business in Hong Kong, with both economic and social ramifications. Despite the sector’s propensity for bounce back, it’s conceivable it may never reach its pre-pandemic levels of activity. It will be vital to take steps to aid the industry’s recovery and make sure it’s ready for future pandemics.
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