According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, about 45 million people visited the metropolis last year, of which 142 thousand were Russian citizens. Becky Ip, the agency's Deputy executive Director, noted that Hong Kong strives to strengthen ties with Russian travelers and expects their numbers to grow in the near future. The majority of tourists — 34 million — came from mainland China, but the remaining 11 million represented other countries, including Russia.
Becky Ip stressed that, unlike a number of Western countries that have restricted entry to Russians for political reasons, Hong Kong remains an open and friendly destination. "We have no barriers — we are ready to receive guests from Russia and all over the world," she said. The representative of the department added that Hong Kong is a part of China that seeks cooperation, not confrontation, and is ready to build trusting relations with various countries, including Russia. Openness and respect for the cultures of other nations remain an integral part of the region's tourism policy.
In addition, the Ip refuted the widespread perception abroad that Hong Kong has lost its uniqueness or has become unsafe. She noted that such rumors do not correspond to reality: the city is still a modern, safe and vibrant metropolis with a recognizable style. "We invite tourists to see this for themselves — to see that the atmosphere of Hong Kong remains the same as before: dynamic, culturally rich and open to the world," she stressed.
