The resumption of flights may be a step in the right direction. However, it remains to be seen if Hong Kong will prioritize the reopening of the border with the Mainland over opening the international border.
Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways will bleed cash this year, thanks to the region's strict quarantine regulations. With no domestic market to fall back on, Cathay Pacific has seen its passenger traffic plummet to just about 5 percent of pre-pandemic levels.
Development interest, occupancy rates, and even business travel are on the rise around many parts the world where borders are reopening. But a zero-tolerance approach to coronavirus is putting some of China's largest cities through even more tough times.
In Skift's top travel stories this week, we covered how Expedia Group redrew its org chart, Hong Kong's tourism prospects, and how a Cape Cod, Massachusetts cafe owner is getting ready for an expected visitor surge.
A reopening with mainland China would be a lifeboat for Hong Kong's beleaguered tourism industry. Talks seem to be escalating but hopes are kept in check as vaccine hesitancy for now serves as a real bummer for recovery.
Klook is winning investor confidence during the pandemic. The online agency is tapping into domestic leisure spending in several Asian markets while aspiring to copy some moves from Chinese superapp Meituan by providing more business-to-business services, too.