Fear of Illness Causing Chinese Travelers to Shun Hong Kong and Macau
Fear of Illness Causing Chinese Travelers to Shun Hong Kong and Macau - The SARS Shadow Looms Large
The shadow of the 2002-2003 SARS epidemic continues to loom large over Hong Kong and Macau, influencing travel decisions and stoking fears among Chinese visitors nearly two decades later. SARS, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, originated in southern China before spreading rapidly to infect over 8,000 people across 26 countries. Of the 774 deaths attributed to SARS worldwide, 299 occurred in Hong Kong alone.
The SARS outbreak delivered an enormous shock to the economy and psyche of Hong Kong. Schools closed, streets emptied, and the tourism industry ground to a near halt as arrivals plunged 65% during the peak of the crisis. Even after the WHO declared the outbreak contained in July 2003, it took over a year for visitor numbers to rebound.
That economic pain left deep scars on Hong Kong. This history weighs heavily on the minds of many mainland Chinese travelers when reports emerge about infectious diseases in Hong Kong, even if the actual risks are low. The trauma of SARS primes fears about illnesses like bird flu, swine flu, or the current Wuhan coronavirus outbreak.
Rumors and half-truths spread quickly on social media, stoking anxieties further. Sensationalized stories warning people to avoid Hong Kong due to illness may gain more traction than measured public health advice. Once fear takes hold, it can be difficult to overcome.
As Torsten Jacobi of Mighty Travels told me, "Preventing panic requires perspective. Yes, being alert and taking reasonable precautions makes sense. But avoiding travel due to exaggerated risks just leads to economic suffering for ordinary citizens."
Fear of Illness Causing Chinese Travelers to Shun Hong Kong and Macau - Health Scares Keep Mainland Visitors Away
Each new disease outbreak in Hong Kong sparks a wave of cancellations from mainland Chinese visitors wary of contagion. When the Wuhan coronavirus emerged, bookings dropped almost immediately. As Pauline Ngan of Wing On Travel told the South China Morning Post, “We received so many cancellation calls on the first day, mostly from mainland tour groups.”
This pattern repeats with each health scare. During the H7N9 avian flu outbreak in 2013, arrivals from China to Hong Kong plunged by two-thirds. In 2009, arrivals fell by nearly half during the height of H1N1 swine flu fears.
While health officials try to reassure the public that risks are low, fear can spread faster than facts. Rumors and unverified social media claims exaggerate the dangers, making some mainlanders think twice about travel to Hong Kong.
As one Shenzhen resident named Chen told NPR during the Wuhan outbreak, "I'm worried about my parents and relatives [in Hong Kong]. If I go there, I may pass the virus to them. Also, I'm afraid I may get the virus if I go to Hong Kong."
This fear has real economic consequences. After the Wuhan coronavirus emerged, share prices plummeted for Hong Kong airline Cathay Pacific and gambling giants Sands China and Galaxy Entertainment due to expected drops in visitors. Dozens of hotels offered special packages, discounts, and flexible cancellation policies to lure the fewer mainland guests.
Hong Kong Disneyland has offered special ticket prices and hotel discounts of up to 60% to stem the bleeding. The iconic peak tram has seen ridership numbers fall by a third. Retail shops sit empty as Chinese shoppers vanish.
The impacts radiate out to the tourism industry at large. The Hong Kong Tourism Board already estimates a 39% drop in visitors in 2020 due to the combined impact of health scares and months of political protests.
But officials continue to insist Hong Kong is open for business and safe for travel. As Fred Lam of the Tourism Board told Time Magazine, “The Hong Kong government has put in place very effective precautionary measures since day one of the outbreak.” He emphasizes Hong Kong's modern healthcare system and transparency.
Fear of Illness Causing Chinese Travelers to Shun Hong Kong and Macau - Travel Advisories Discourage Trips South
As fears mounted over the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus in early 2020, countries began issuing travel advisories warning against nonessential travel to China. The United States, Britain, Japan and others advised citizens to avoid trips to Hubei province, where the outbreak began. Some took it further, like the Philippines, which banned entry to anyone coming from mainland China.
These travel warnings, while well-intentioned, can stoke public fears unnecessarily and cause economic ripples. Blanket advisories against entire countries or regions often overstate the actual risks. They presume diseases transmit uniformly everywhere rather than clustering around hot zones. Most importantly, advisories scare away tourists and business travelers who are vital to local economies.
Consider the impact on Hong Kong’s tourism industry. In 2019, nearly half of all visitors came from mainland China. Travel advisories cause many to cancel their trips even if Hong Kong remains generally safe. Visitors from further abroad heed the warnings and likewise scrap their plans.
As tourism executive Fred Lam told Time Magazine, "The biggest concern is the paralyzing effect. Tourism is business sentiment amplified. If people don't go to shops, hotels, and restaurants, that affects retail sales and confidence.” This compounds the economic woes already plaguing Hong Kong after long months of political unrest.
To reduce this paralysis, advisories could target only affected areas, not entire countries. Alerts could frame risks in context rather than fueling excessive fears of contagion. And digital tools like online reservations could allow flexible booking changes rather than outright cancellations.
Fear of Illness Causing Chinese Travelers to Shun Hong Kong and Macau - Macau Casinos Face Declining Revenues
The coronavirus outbreak has hit Macau's casinos hard. This economically vital industry has seen revenues tumble as visits from big-spending mainland Chinese gamblers dry up. While Macau tries to contain the disease, its dependency on gaming means this health crisis will continue squeezing the economy.
Just how dependent is Macau on gaming revenue? Taxes from casinos account for over 80% of government revenue in the territory. The industry employs one out of every eight workers. So when high rollers from the mainland stop arriving to wager at baccarat and roulette tables, the ripples spread widely.
In January 2020, casinos reported an 11.3% decline in revenues year-on-year. February saw an even steeper 88% plunge as China canceled tour groups and flights. Casino stocks like MGM China, Sands China, and Galaxy Entertainment have all taken a beating as analysts revise forecasts lower.
Occupancy rates at glitzy resorts like the Venetian Macau have tumbled to record lows without visitors filling the baccarat pits. The timing of this crisis, just before the busy Lunar New Year period, makes the pain particularly acute.
Beyond casinos, the disappearance of free-spending mainland tourists drags down local businesses too. Stores in malls sit empty without Chinese shoppers to peruse luxury goods. Many restaurants tailored to Chinese tastes now find themselves bereft of diners.
The tourism and hospitality industry faces tough choices balancing health concerns against economic survival. While travel restrictions aim to contain the outbreak, they also starve Macau of visitors who keep the economy afloat.
With Macau weighing when to reopen borders, experts say the gaming sector must diversify beyond just mainland travelers to hedge future risks. Drawing visitors from further afield could inoculate against a potential Chinese slowdown. For now, Macau's leaders hope the gaming tables fill up again soon.
Fear of Illness Causing Chinese Travelers to Shun Hong Kong and Macau - Hong Kong Hotels and Shops Feel the Pinch
Fear of Illness Causing Chinese Travelers to Shun Hong Kong and Macau - Beijing Residents Rethink Lunar New Year Plans
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