From Barren Rock to Fragrant Harbor: A Tapestry of Hong Kong's History and Culture through the Prism of Tourism

The tourism industry is one of the four pillars of the Hong Kong economy, and the cultural and social changes in Hong Kong are inseparable from the development of the local tourism industry. In the early days after Hong Kong became a free port, Westerners had a negative impression of Hong Kong in general, seeing it as a barren island with poor climate, scarce natural resources, and crises everywhere. A hundred years later, after the end of World War II, Hong Kong focused on developing the tourism industry. Its colonial background attracted many foreign tourists who were fascinated by the mysterious East, gradually gaining a reputation as a shopping paradise, a food paradise, and the Pearl of the Orient. In modern times, Hong Kong has also developed humanistic tourism resources, with plenty of scenic spots and cultural relics in the suburbs, demonstrating the diversification and progress of Hong Kong's tourism industry. This book is the first specialized book on the history of Hong Kong's tourism culture, aiming to explore the historical development of Hong Kong as a travel destination from its humble beginnings to its handover to China in 1997, and the cultural and economic behaviors related to it. From the early colonial period to World War II, various forms of travel such as long-distance, short-distance, local tours, overseas settlers, and migration strengthened social and cultural exchanges between the West and China. After the war, the further promotion and industrialization of Hong Kong tourism not only drove economic development, but also helped the colonial government establish an international modern urban image for Hong Kong, strengthening the identity of Hong Kong people. Hong Kong people construct history and regain "positive" impressions through cultural relics, commercial achievements, and its unique East-meets-West culture. Promoting tourism activities that feature traditional Chinese customs has enabled the city to develop its own culture, further enhancing Hong Kong's international recognition and driving its development into a metropolis that combines Chinese and Western cultures.