Travel bubble: Hong Kong tourism firms upbeat but cautious over scheme with Singapore

HONG KONG, Nov 12 (SCMP): With Hong Kong slated to open a travel bubble with Singapore in less than two weeks, the city’s beleaguered tourism industry is preparing to roll out packages to entice visitors, although companies remain cautious in their business outlook due to the uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The two governments said on Wednesday that the long-awaited arrangement would take effect on November 22, with a maximum of 200 travellers allowed to move in each direction every day, quarantine-free. But they must take designated flights and meet specific conditions and requirements, including taking up to three Covid-19 tests at different stages of the trip. The screenings are expected to cost about HK$1,880 (US$130), and rapid tests would not be an option initially.