Christmas in HK: Travelers and festivities abound

Many Hong Kong residents took advantage of the holiday to travel abroad, while a significant influx of tourists arrived to celebrate Christmas in the city. Major transport hubs like Hong Kong International Airport, Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau, and West Kowloon High-Speed Rail Station were bustling with activity.

At West Kowloon High-Speed Rail Station around 2 PM on Dec. 24, crowds were thick but the atmosphere was orderly. Many families were seen with luggage, eagerly embarking on their journeys, while groups of friends laughed as they entered the station. Some locals expressed that they often travel to Shenzhen for leisure but anticipate that tourist attractions in the Mainland will be overcrowded during the Spring Festival, opting instead to spend their money in Hong Kong.

According to IMMD, as of 9 PM yesterday, a total of 874,000 passengers had crossed the borders, with approximately 549,000 leaving Hong Kong. Lo Wu was the busiest port, with 113,000 departures and 62,000 arrivals.

At West Kowloon, around 58,000 travelers departed for the mainland by the evening. Ms. Yeung, a local resident, planned a trip to Shenzhen's Futian to enjoy food and shopping while avoiding the crowded Lok Ma Chau crossing. As a retiree, she prefers to travel on weekdays when there are fewer people, allowing her to visit museums and parks without spending much money.

In addition to locals, many mainland tourists came to Hong Kong to experience the festive atmosphere. Mandy, from Fujian, could only spend a day in Hong Kong due to work commitments, wanting to soak in the Christmas spirit. She noted the vibrant festive decorations in Tsim Sha Tsui and planned to see the fireworks show, making Hong Kong an ideal city for short trips. She mentioned considering other cities like Beijing for the New Year holiday.

At Hong Kong International Airport, nearly 70,000 travelers departed by 9 PM. The departure hall was crowded from the morning, with many families traveling together, leading to long queues at check-in counters. The Airport Authority announced that all private vehicle parking spaces were fully booked, advising the public to use public transport to avoid delays. They projected that passenger numbers during Christmas would approach pre-pandemic levels, with daily traffic nearing 200,000. To manage the holiday rush, the airport increased staff and opened all security checkpoints.

Additionally, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge issued a warning about potential traffic spikes at the Zhuhai port due to the public holiday, urging travelers to stagger their travel plans. The peak flow of people and vehicles into the mainland was expected to begin on the evening of Dec. 24.

Tsim Sha Tsui Bustling with Activity

Thanks to the Christmas holiday effect, various areas, especially after dark, were lively, benefiting numerous businesses. Mr. Lam, a shop owner selling Christmas decorations in Tsim Sha Tsui, noted an increase in mainland tourists due to the "multiple-entry visa" policy, expressing optimism about sales during the festive season.

Mr. Yeung, who runs a luggage store, also felt positive about business, stating that the return of the "multiple-entry visa" has led to a rise in visitors and spending. However, he mentioned that despite the increase in foot traffic, overall spending has not significantly improved, noting that previously, many visitors would make purchases, while now, even with higher numbers, fewer are actually buying.

Mr. Wu, owner of a Sichuan noodle shop, expressed more pessimism about Christmas sales, citing that many locals are traveling abroad, resulting in fewer consumers in Hong Kong, which severely impacts the food industry.

Lan Kwai Fong and bars

Many residents and tourists enjoy celebrating Christmas Eve in Lan Kwai Fong. The police implemented crowd control measures and special traffic arrangements on the island and in Kowloon on Dec. 24 and 25. As of 2 PM yesterday, roads around Lan Kwai Fong, Tsim Sha Tsui, and the West Kowloon Cultural District began phased closures and traffic diversions.

In the evening, the area was filled with well-dressed locals and tourists, and bars played Christmas music, creating a festive atmosphere. Mr. Lo, visiting Lan Kwai Fong with his family, mentioned that it was their first time experiencing the holiday spirit there, having lived in Kowloon. He expressed concern about staying late due to the potential crowding and the safety of his young children, stating that taking them to bars is inconvenient.

A tourist from Shenzhen felt that the proximity of Hong Kong made it easy to come over for the vibrant holiday atmosphere, planning to return to Shenzhen that evening. She praised the orderly environment in Lan Kwai Fong and was satisfied with her visit.

Ms. Tong, a bar manager in Lan Kwai Fong, noted that the return of the "multiple-entry visa" has resulted in fully booked reservations for Christmas Eve. She observed a significant influx of mainland tourists, many of whom made reservations online or were referred by friends. She expressed that the renewed policy has attracted many visitors to enjoy Christmas in Hong Kong, increasing foot traffic in Lan Kwai Fong, while trusting that police crowd control measures would maintain order.

Related News:

Live | Winter Harbourfront Pyrotechnics | West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade | Dec. 24

Watch This | John Lee shares Christmas decorations of Govt House wishing for peace and joy