Should I stay or should I go - Hong Kong [protests]

[kamchatsky]

Our family of 4 are booked (booked long ago) for a transit in Hong Kong New Years Eve. We had booked a harbour view suite at the Novotel Century . Flying out New Year’s Day with Hong Kong Airlines (velocity J award) to Japan to commence a ski trip. Am I right to think news Years day being a public holiday could be more problematic.?.Thinking of ditching whole plan and flying via Singapore on my kris points or just staying overnight at airport. Hong Kong flights were paid virgin flights through Amex travel.

I suggest, cancel Novotel Century and book an, airport hotel like Regal or Marriott hk airport.

 

[mlob]

Appreciating the input!

 

[get me outta here]

I’d book both the airport hotel and keep yr existing bkg both refundable of course and see how the situation pans out.
If either price goes down as you keep an eye on prices, rebook at the lower price and then cancel the first booking.
You can make a decision a few days before. I would keep the original itinerary.

 

[kelvedon]

Yes New Years day is a public holiday. Assuming your flight to Japan leaves in the morning or at least the middle of the day, the locals don’t get up early, so I wouldn’t think you’d have trouble getting to the airport.
That just leaves NYE and hopefully they will be in party and not protesting mode.

 

[wandering_fred]

Left HKG on 23rd. We stayed on Lantau Island with most excursions in the daytime, all avoiding Central and Admiralty.
Visit to The Peak was the only issue. WE had dinner and left about 2115. Taxis were charging very high fares at the lower Peak Tram station and indicating that the buses were no longer running. Also implied ferries not running, which was an untrue statement.

Passports and/or ticket confirmations were being checked to get into the air terminal.

Happy wandering
Fred

 

[nickykim]

Will be interesting to see whether today's event result in a change in the Australian travel advisor advice level.

 

[kpc]

Will be interesting to see whether today's event result in a change in the Australian travel advisor advice level.

i saw video footage of an unarmed protestor being shot in the stomach...and then manhandled whilst lying motionless on the ground! I don't need any government advisory...I will be avoiding HK for the foreseeable future

Carrie Lam labels protesters enemy of the people, vows they 'will never win'

The Hong Kong chief executive's tough language comes after a protester was shot by police and a meeting with China's President.

www.smh.com.au

 

[Lynda2475]

So despite all hopes doesnt look like things are going to improve anytime soon.

Really dreading possibly being stuck at home 26 Dec to 1st Jan, obviously no classic reward flights available anywhere desiriable to replace HK trip at such short notice.

 

[Isochronous]

For the conscientious among members concerned about the situation and wondering what you can do to help, apart from lobbying politicians in Australia, one practical means of assistance is to donate to the crowdfunding campaigns to help bring abusers to justice through legal action. Some options that allow online donation:

社會民主連線 League of Social Democrats

沒有抗爭 那有改變！

www.lsd.org.hk

眾籌 - 香港眾志 Demosistō

香港眾志是立足民間的政治團體，以街頭抗爭、建設公民社會和國際連結為主軸，致力推動民主、進步價值及港人主體意識，從而建立平等公義的多元城市，實現民主治港的理想願景。

www.demosisto.hk

Home page - 公民黨

www.civicparty.hk

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I never go to HK - but I do go to SIN regularly o/n en-route to China - I am on my way home now and just cannot believe how high hotel occupancy is in SIN - hotels near and far 100% booked - clearly probs in HK are seeing huge diversions by corporates to / via SIN

 

[mrsterryn]

Hong Kong certainly looks like there willbe ongoing issues for some time
Have a ticket booked for later 2020 with Cathay ...starting to consider if just go to BA or back to Qantas and deal with the higher cost

 

[amaroo]

I'd still go... have another family trip booked for Xmas.

 

[get me outta here]

I’m going in 2020 and will hold my plans. My friend who’s doing post PhD research at HKG Uni is wondering what to do.

 

[sjk]

I’ve been in and out about once a month over the past half-year, and just in terms of logistics, pretty much nothing has changed over that period. Of course there has been some luck with the timing on that, but on average most people will be fine.

I now have four trips scheduled for the next three weeks, and once that’s done will have to spend more time in Singapore or at least send some of my staff there.

Anyway, shouldn’t we all be asking that Blind Freddie guy from upthread?

 

[Pushka]

We have award seats for a return flight in July in J on CX direct out of Adelaide through HK then Paris and back via Rome and I’ve checked into availability to change and there has been no other option that I’d like. Qatar never released tickets on my dates or even close by. I’m saving up to buy seats I think just in case.

 

[sjk]

Info from a colleague points to somewhat of an escalation over the past few days..

Today in Hong Kong (November 14) - Spike In Manila - Back in Hongkie Town!

 

[get me outta here]

As Unis and schools close, I’d expect clashes to be continuous and escalate now.

 

[Melburnian1]

That 'Spike in Manila' site also has a recent video showing a beautifully dressed young lady confronting the historically respected but now hated Hong Kong police. She is then capsicum sprayed twice and forced to the ground by three or four "officers."

Barbaric thuggery supported by the rulers in Beijing. Disgusting to treat a woman like that.

While Singapore is not perfect - it has some policies abhorrent to many Australians - it's not surprising that some corporates may be thinking of moving house, although that's costly and takes time.

Those of us who've been there a few times may have a different perspective to say a 20 year old who wants to experience it, but HKG is no longer on my visiting list.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Update on my post above - I ended up staying at Rendezvous on Orchard Road - used to be Orchard Parade Hotel - met a dude from SYD in the bar who was there for a tourism conference - 500 attendees - was originally slated for HK but relocated to SIN a month ago - then they had to scramble to get rooms

 

[Melburnian1]

Update on my post above - I ended up staying at Rendezvous on Orchard Road - used to be Orchard Parade Hotel - met a dude from SYD in the bar who was there for a tourism conference - 500 attendees - was originally slated for HK but relocated to SIN a month ago - then they had to scramble to get rooms

Fairly recent figures showed that the number of Australians visiting Singapore was either down or had hardly risen in the past year. While business visitors are a minority, the above may be helping to change that.

Perhaps for Changi Apt, it's "swings and roundabouts": fewer passengers coming in from or bound for HKG, but more coming to SIN for conferences and business?