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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council Secretariat (the Secretariat) today (May 7) released a Research Brief on "Individual Visit Scheme" (IVS).
This Research Brief studies the distinct characteristics of IVS visitors and discusses the economic and social impacts of the scheme. While IVS has benefited the Hong Kong economy, it has aroused concern over the impact of continuous growth in Mainland visitors on the local community. In particular, rising shop rentals as a result of buoyant inbound tourism have changed the retail landscape with a surge in the number of shops rented out to business trades catering to the needs of Mainland tourists.
While the Government has focused on the adequacy of tourism infrastructure in its study of Hong Kong's tourism handling capacity, the social carrying capacity should also be considered when assessing a city's tourism handling capacity as suggested by a European Commission study.
This is the sixth issue of the Research Brief prepared by the Secretariat's Research Office of the Information Services Division with a view to enhancing information support for Members. It is a concise summary aiming at explaining a subject matter which may be of interest to Members and the general public.
The Research Brief is now available on the Legislative Council Website at www.legco.gov.hk/research-publications/english/1314rb06-individual-visit-scheme-20140507-e.pdf.
Ends/Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:16
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