Hong Kong experienced a significant influx of mainland Chinese tourists during the recent Golden Week Lunar New Year holiday, with a staggering total of 1.43 million visitors from the mainland. This averages to approximately 157,000 tourists per day, an increase compared to the figures recorded in 2019. The influx of tourists accompanied a rise in tour groups, with around 200 tour groups visiting Hong Kong during this period.
The hotel industry in Hong Kong witnessed a surge in occupancy rates, reaching an impressive 90%. Hotels in popular areas, such as the vicinity of firework displays, were fully booked, while the overall occupancy rate across the city stood at 80%. This surge in occupancy contributed to a 16% increase in overnight stays by tourists, further boosting the local tourism industry.
Interestingly, during the extended holiday period, the number of outbound travelers from Hong Kong exceeded the number of incoming tourists, a trend that has become a norm in recent years. This reflects the regular back-and-forth travel between residents of both regions and emphasizes the strong ties and frequent travel between the two areas.
The tourism industry welcomed this surge in global visitors. It attributed it to a combination of factors, including increased consumer confidence, improved cross-boundary travel facilitation, and attractive holiday packages offered by travel agencies. The successful handling of the pandemic and the subsequent reopening of borders played a crucial role in restoring confidence among tourists.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board expressed its satisfaction with the positive outcome of the Golden Week holiday period. It acknowledged the efforts made by various stakeholders to ensure a pleasant experience for tourists. The board also emphasized the importance of continuous collaboration between Hong Kong and mainland China to enhance the tourism industry further and explore new growth opportunities.
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