The tourism trade on Thursday welcomed a decision by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) to distribute 200,000 dining vouchers to residents, describing it as a “Christmas gift” to businesses and locals.

It comes after the board announced that it will be giving out the HK$20 million worth of vouchers in two batches.

The first batch will be released at 10am on December 20, on a first-come, first-served basis on the board's "Discover Hong Kong" website, while the second batch will be handed out in January.

People will be able to use the vouchers at more than 1,100 restaurants participating in the Quality Tourism Services Scheme and 100 bars. Diners must spend at least HK$100 per meal to use the vouchers.

Speaking on an RTHK programme, Simon Wong, chairman of the Quality Tourism Services Association noted that the board had traditionally focused on serving tourists – and the decision to issue vouchers to locals should be seen as a “Christmas gift” to high-quality businesses and residents.

But Wong said he does not expect the vouchers to have a significant impact on consumption.

"I don't think people will go out to eat just because they got a hundred dollar voucher. And I don't think people will cancel their travel plans because they got a voucher. I think the HKTB is just trying to give something back to the community.”