Hong Kong SAR: After a series of government blunders and complete reversal on positions across a number of issues, residents resorted to panic buying of groceries leaving empty stores behind. 

Cambodia

Having the highest vaccination rate in Asia Pacific, Cambodia opened its border to all vaccinated travelers in mid-November 2021. The Ministry of Tourism indicated that the number of international tourists surged by 120% in Q4 compared to the previous quarter in 2021. The figures also suggested an 85% decrease of foreign inbound tourists in 2021 due to travel bans. Officials remain optimistic for a recovery in 2022.

With the gradual reopening, Cambodia is in discussion with other countries to resume international flights. In February, France and Iran expressed interests to connect flights and further tourism cooperation.

On the other hand, the frequency of flights between China and Cambodia is likely to increase in the near future to attract Chinese tourists back to Cambodia when the restrictions are loosened in China.
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Hong Kong SAR

Maintaining its strict zero-COVID policy, daily cases in Hong Kong surged from less than 100 to more than 30,000 in just a month. While the fully vaccinated population reaches 70%, the government has ordered another round of restrictions in response to the rapidly evolving situation in the city. In addition to the social distancing measurements, the government also extended flight bans from selected destinations, including U.S., Australia, and France, down to only 21 per day.

Citywide lockdowns and testing (three per person) are planned to commence later in March after almost everyone will have been infected. However, plans have not been finalized and rumors aplenty circulate in the community due to conflicting statements from the government - one statement referred to a lockdown as long as three weeks.

After a series of government blunders and complete reversal on positions across a number of issues, residents resorted to panic buying of groceries leaving empty stores behind.

At the same time ambulance transfers to hospitals have a wait period as long as 38 hours. This is a great follow through to the government's USD5.7 million overseas PR campaign advertising the city as the 'best place in Asia'.

To boost the local economy, the Hong Kong government would continue the distribution of consumption voucher to eligible residents later this year. The amount doubled to HKD 10,000 (USD 1,280) in 2022, and it is expected to stimulate local consumption amid the pandemic. Moreover, the government reserved HKD 1.26 billion (USD 161.2 million) supporting local tourism development, such as cultural and historical tour and green lifestyle tour in Hong Kong.

Japan

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that Japan would increase the daily number of foreign visitors from 3,500 to 5,000 in March.

However, the increased quota still excludes tourists. With an alleviated situation and 80% of the population in the country fully vaccinated, Japan is looking forward to welcoming visitors back starting from the business travelers and oversea students. In the meantime, the government would continue to explore the possibilities of reopening its border to tourists.

With the approaching deadline of decisions on Integrated Resorts (“IRs”), local governments are working on finalizing the agreements with their partners. MGM Japan confirmed the basic agreement on Osaka IR with its consortium partner, ONIX, in February; the total cost of Osaka IR development is currently estimated at JPY 1.8 trillion (USD 9.4 billion).

Wakayama prefecture estimates the cost of its project at JPY 470 billion (USD 4.1 billion) and Nagasaki’s at JPY350 billion (USD 3.04 billion). While there are concerns of increasing costs from the public, local governments believe the developments would stimulate the local economy through job creations and inbound tourism.

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