Hong Kong boosts "sports plus tourism" synergy at National Games

Hong Kong is experiencing a surge of visitors from the Chinese mainland for the 15th National Games, highlighting the potential of the collaborated development of sports and tourism sectors.

Jointly hosted by Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and the Macao SAR from Nov 9 to 21, this year's Games marks the first time to stage competitions across all the three regions of the Greater Bay Area, a pioneering step in regional cooperation.

Many visiting spectators have chosen to turn their trip into a sports-themed vacation.

"I am from Qingdao and visited Hong Kong during the National Games. The city feels even more lively during the event. The services are thoughtful, and I'm having an exceptional experience," said a tourist from north China.

"This is my first time in Hong Kong. I came specifically for the National Games to cheer for the athletes," said a young girl.

"I am from Liaoning and came to experience the National Games' vibrant sports atmosphere. The overall experience has been outstanding," shared a tourist, who brought his young child to feel the unique atmosphere in the city.

Observers said that the 15th National Games is proving the value of the "sports plus tourism" development model, which generates fresh momentum for integration across the Greater Bay Area.

"Recently, we have welcomed a surge of tourists in Hong Kong, with bustling streets reflecting the city's vibrancy. The successful hosting of the National Games has not only shown Hong Kong's capabilities to manage large-scale events, but also reinforced its status as an international events hub. This sets a good foundation for attracting more premier sports events to this city in the future. The National Games has inspired the tourism sector, amplifying the synergy of 'sports plus tourism' and created more cooperation opportunity for the integrated development of the Greater Bay Area," said Tsoi Wing-sing, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

"This National Games is the first major sports event co-hosted by the three places, signifying a new phase of regional integrated development. As a Hong Kong resident, I am deeply grateful to the Central Government for granting Hong Kong the chance to participate in this landmark event," said Charles Ng Wang-wai, also a member of the CPPCC National Committee.

Hong Kong boosts "sports plus tourism" synergy at National Games

The spillover effects of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East are having a noticeable impact as far afield as Peru, a country highly reliant on energy imports, with the costs of transportation and daily supplies all climbing due to the hike in fuel prices.

Global oil prices have been rising as a result of the ongoing U.S.-Israeli-Iran conflict and concerns over the disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz -- a vital passageway that typically carries about one-quarter of global seaborne oil trade.

Prices in Peru have also been worsened in the country after a natural gas pipeline explosion in the Cusco Province last month, which caused a significant gas supply shortage.

At present, the prices of gasoline and diesel in Peru have doubled since the start of the conflict in late February, forcing companies to raise the costs of passenger and freight transportation to offset their losses.

Many are concerned that this will have a considerable knock-on effect which could hamper economic activities and ultimately harm the wallets of local residents who are being forced to pay the price.

"What's the worst is that transportation will affect all activities throughout the economy, including the passenger sector, both intra-city and inter-provincial," said Martin Ojeda, the leader of a transportation workers' union.

"Everything has become more expensive. Both daily necessities and transportation are all very expensive," said a local vendor in the capital Lima.

"Previously, a roast chicken cost me about 45 soles (12.8 U.S. dollars), but now it has risen to 60 soles (over 17 U.S. dollars). This doesn't fit my financial situation, so I have to give up a lot of consumption. People like me who live on pensions are greatly affected," said another resident.

Meanwhile, the prices of fertilizers like urea have risen by around 16 percent over the past month as a result of the conflict, with the Middle East being a major global supplier of fertilizers, as these spiraling costs are also affecting food production and animal husbandry in Peru.

Transportation, living costs rise in Peru as conflict rages on in Middle East