Preparations are in place for Golden Week: John Lee

Chief Executive John Lee said on Tuesday that the authorities are ready for an influx of visitors during the mainland's Golden Week holiday next month, with preparations in place at immigration control points. Speaking ahead of the weekly Exco meeting, Lee said almost six million people are expected to enter or leave Hong Kong via the airport, rail and land crossings in the first week of May. He said special arrangements have been put in place for particularly busy periods. "The Transport Department has already been in close contact with the transportation operators, so we'll be in full gear to ensure that there will be a good and smooth service for visitors," he said. "We'll also be turning out officers to take care of the management of tourist groups because we want to spread them out, also to stagger the meal arrangement, so that they will be smoothly absorbed into the whole arrangement at different districts." Lee added that Golden Week will be a good opportunity to show people that Hong Kong is a vibrant city. "We want the experiences of the visitors, that of course includes tourists and also maybe a result of the activities of local spenders, to have a good experience, both in taking meals, in shopping, in all kinds of services, businesses," he said.