By Flynn Demapendan
In Hong Kong, about 2,500 giant panda structures are up on display in hopes to bring light to the growing panda population. Hong Kong used to be the main top travel destination in Asia, but due to the recent events of restrictions on the border from the pandemic and anti-government protests in 2019, Hong Kong lost the title.
As of now, Hong Kong has six pandas, and a pair, Ying Ying and Le Le, recently gave birth to a set of twins after the mother had years of failed breeding efforts. The twin cubs will make their public debut in February of this year.
Along with other additions to the panda population in Hong Kong, Beijing sent a pair of five-year-old pandas, giving Hong Kong the title of the largest population of giant pandas outside of the mainland of China. On December 7, when the two pandas were introduced to the public, John Lee Ka-chiu, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, stated that a “craze for giant pandas” had begun.
The unexpected gain of pandas in Hong Kong has inspired officials to have talks about an economy of pandas. These talks sparked the upbringing of restaurants and businesses to launch and sell panda-themed products.
Hong Kong’s economy had a recent slowdown in the mainland that greatly affected the economy. As of last year, Hong Kong’s forecast of economic growth went from 3.2% to 2.5%. This economic decline happened partly due to tourism, which is a pillar of the economy that has failed to bounce back.
A professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Donald Low, said that “pandas would not be a big draw for international tourists because they are not something that’s part of the Hong Kong identity.” In addition, mainland Chinese tourists can see pandas at home.
Instead of Hong Kong trying to use similarities and pandas to lure tourists in, Hong Kong should try to find differential qualities from the other Chinese cities and focus on what makes Hong Kong unique, said Low. Low also said that global tourism is moving away from the tourist attractions and focusing more on the Hong Kong experience of how “locals would.”
Through January and October of last year, Hong Kong received almost 37 million visitors and had an increase of 37%. But, compared to the 50 million visitors in January and October of 2019, which was during the time of China’s protests, 2024’s numbers fall short.
Other ideas and options for helping Hong Kong’s economy have plummeted as the sensitivity of politics remains high. Earlier last year, soccer player Lionel Messi was scheduled to play in a highly promoted exhibition game. But, due to his injury, he failed to show up and play in the match. Instead of taking Messi’s injury into consideration, fans accused him of having “political motives.”
Taking into account the other ideas and options, Hong Kong has high hopes that the panda campaign will flourish, helping Hong Kong’s economy go back up in the process.
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