Individual travel to Singapore opens to 13 big cities in China from this month, including Guangzhou, capital city of Guangdong Province, Shenzhen, economic hub of south China, and Beijing, Shanghai, etc.

The Singapore travel visa application and approval will take only one day, much shorter than that of Hong Kong individual tour, which last for 10 to 15 working days. What is more, the visa to Singapore is valid for one month, while visa to Hong Kong last for only one week.

Hong Kong tourism sector think the simplification of travel application to Singapore will lead to the reduction of Mainland tourist to visit Hong Kong in number, while the hotel sector do not think it a big threat to Hong Kong individual tour business.

(CNTA.com May 18, 2004)