When travellers think sustainability, make them think Greater Bay Area

Earlier this year, Hong Kong launched its first fully electric ferry. In June, jurisdictions within the Greater Bay Area development zone marked a national event for the environment. Against this backdrop, a quiet but important shift is under way. Policymakers in the Greater Bay Area are no longer just thinking about sustainability; they are setting it in motion. With the development zone becoming a hub for experimentation in smart infrastructure and climate innovation, the time is ripe to consider a low-carbon tourism corridor linking cities through cleaner and smarter ways to travel. Guangdong province, Hong Kong and Macau are already renowned for connectivity, with high-speed rail, cross-border bridges and integrated metro systems. But while the physical infrastructure is world-class, the carbon cost of mobility remains high. Tourism, in particular, still leans heavily on diesel coaches, fragmented itineraries and high-emission transfers. Hong Kong has taken important first steps. The city’s newly launched 400-seat electric ferry is capable of up to 52 daily trips. Trial runs are also under way for a second electric vessel. But the shift to a green tourism economy cannot rest on hardware alone. It must be matched by systems, partnerships and experiences that reflect the changing priorities of today’s travellers. Neighbouring Shenzhen can offer valuable insight into this aspect. As of early this year, the city was home to over 1.3 million electric vehicles (EVs), or 28.6 per cent of its fleet. Shenzhen was the first city in the world to fully electrify its bus and taxi networks. The city boasts more than 370,000 charging stations. This transformation has been built on years of forward-looking and coordinated policy and collaboration between government and industry. The pace of Shenzhen’s progress may not be replicable everywhere, but the mindset is transferable. Meanwhile, Hong Kong is gaining ground. While nearly seven out of 10 newly registered private cars are electric, progress in public and commercial transport lags behind. Only 1.4 per cent of the city’s 6,000 franchised buses and just 0.5 per cent of its 18,000 taxis are electric. This is a concern given that public and heavy vehicles account for 80 per cent of transport-related emissions, which in turn make up one-fifth of our total carbon footprint. Electrifying Hong Kong’s public transport system can be challenging. Our hilly terrain, dense layout and reliance on long-range double-decker buses and agile minibuses require customised solutions. But this also presents an opportunity to trial innovative solutions and usher in green mobility for compact urban environments. Thus, a low-carbon tourism corridor can make a real difference. It would provide a platform to develop prototypes and promote these solutions, not just for residents but for visitors too. Imagine a visitor boarding an electric ferry in Central, connecting via an electric shuttle bus to a heritage site in Macau and ending the day at a wellness retreat in Zhuhai, Guangdong province. All of this could be stitched together through integrated ticketing, carbon-tracking apps and a network of green-certified partners. This vision speaks to what travellers want. According to the 2024 Sustainable Travel Report by Booking.com, 83 per cent of global travellers say sustainability matters to them. Three-quarters of those who were surveyed said they would like to travel more sustainably in the next 12 months. It’s time for cities and provinces in the bay area scheme to not just envision the future, but act on it. Firstly, Hong Kong and its neighbours should expand the use of EVs across popular tourism routes, including on land, to connect travellers with cultural sites, country parks and island excursions. Short, high-frequency routes are ideal candidates for this push. Harbour services, shuttle buses to key attractions and cross-boundary ferries should be electrified as part of this first wave. Next, travellers should be offered seamless and sustainable options that are easy to use. A regional “green pass” could bring together electric ferries, electric shuttle buses and rail services under a unified ticketing system. This pass could also provide access to eco-certified attractions and display estimated carbon savings for each itinerary. By making sustainability part of the user experience, we turn climate awareness into everyday action. In addition, there is a strong case for developing a common eco-certification scheme for the bay area. Travellers want confidence that the choices they make are aligned with their values, including where they stay, eat or visit. A regionally recognised standard would give them clarity and provide businesses with a road map to raise their standards and differentiate themselves in a competitive market. Academic institutions could help develop this framework and offer training to support implementation. An ecotourism task force could bring together tourism boards, government agencies, industry associations and academic partners to align standards, plan infrastructure projects together and jointly promote the corridor. It would also offer a structured platform to pilot ideas, measure outcomes and adjust strategies over time. Finally, the success of this corridor will depend on the participation of young people and the private sector. Youth-driven digital storytelling initiatives, green ambassador programmes and community tours can energise the corridor, giving it a sense of authenticity. Meanwhile, through matching grants, seed funding or long-term procurement contracts, governments can play a role in lowering risk for businesses. A low-carbon tourism corridor will be a start, offering a viable example of how to synergise economic growth and climate action. It connects the visitor experience with the infrastructure of sustainability, while making green living accessible. And it shows that Hong Kong, in partnership with its neighbours, can lead in both mindset and action.

When travellers think sustainability, make them think Greater Bay Area

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The joint efforts of policymakers, businesses and young people can help visitors turn climate action into everyday action

The joint efforts of policymakers, businesses and young people can help visitors turn climate action into everyday action