AFTA UPDATE

THE violent scenes in Hong Kong are difficult to understand and hard to watch as it has been a place on the global tourism stage for decades in which nothing like this has occurred before.

The concept of protests in a tourism city in China also seems rather odd with what most would say is the norm, but as it turns out, the facts are these protests are real & it would seem that this may go on longer than all of us, including the global tourism industry, would like.

When would any of us expect to see the Smartraveller alert at “high degree of caution” for Hong Kong?

It is a reminder to keep a close eye on www.smartraveller.gov.au as events and changes continue to be rather fluid.

From all reports, apart from those air services which have been suspended or withdrawn for now, every attempt to remain business as usual does seem to be the main thrust of advice to travellers, in particular travellers who are transiting.

Of course this is a very tricky situation and it would seem things can change in a very short period of time and no doubt all those across the travel value chain are doing the best they can to advise, support and assist clients to the best of their ability.

All the airlines who operate to Hong Kong from Australia appear to be doing the best they can to keep everyone informed and updated on the status, but this is on a daily basis, and again, a close eye is needed to ensure travel plans can be fulfilled or alternatives considered, should that be required.

These situations always present challenges for the travel industry and it is difficult to give clear advisory as to what to tell clients to do, so all I can say is to keep a close eye on the travel advisories and AFTA will do what it can to keep the lines of communications open.

So what is it all about? Earlier this year the Hong Kong Govt introduced an extradition bill that would enable Hong Kong citizens to be extradited to mainland China and Taiwan.

The protests are not only to the fabric of the bill, but the jurisdiction of Hong Kong as an autonomous region.

It is a troubling situation on a global stage of the tourism industry and we can all only hope that in the end the situation is resolved peacefully.