Hong Kong Tourism Struggles to Recover During Labour Day "Golden Week

Hong Kong's tourism industry continues to face challenges in its recovery, as revealed by a decline in visitor numbers during the Labour Day "golden week" holiday, compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po stated that the government remains committed to promoting the mega-event economy and attracting more tourists to Hong Kong. However, some mainland Chinese visitors opted to stay in hotels across the border and travel to the city during the day over the holiday period.

During the five-day mainland break, Hong Kong recorded 893,764 inward trips, representing a 23.5% increase from last year but only reaching 66.8% of the 2019 level.

Industry leaders emphasized the need for better-targeted policies and innovative ideas to revive the tourism sector, with plans for a tourism blueprint set to be unveiled later this year.

Mainland tourists accounted for 85% of the visitors, with tourism minister Kevin Yeung Yun-hung projecting a visitor footfall of 800,000 people and a total spend of over HK$2 billion.

Despite an increase in per capita spending by overnight visitors in 2021, spending by day-trip tourists decreased significantly.

The net inflow of trips during the holiday period decreased compared to the previous year, with many opting for cheaper hotel options in nearby cities and commuting to Hong Kong for day trips.

Simon Lee Siu-po suggested that authorities should offer incentives, such as discounts on hotel rates, to attract visitors, especially from the Greater Bay Area, where lower-spending day trips are common.

Lee emphasized the need to address Hong Kong's high costs, as visitors may opt for other destinations or short trips to countries with lower expenses.