Hong Kong’s tourism industry is on track for a banner August, with visitor numbers potentially topping 5 million and shattering post-pandemic records, a key lawmaker said Monday, signaling a robust rebound amid major events and shifting travel patterns.
Perry Yiu Pak-leung, a tourism sector representative in the city’s legislature, shared the optimistic forecast in a television interview, citing preliminary data showing about 9.6 million tourists flocked to the former British colony in July and August combined. That’s a 14% to 15% jump from the same period last year, aligning with the traditional summer peak and underscoring a “steady recovery” in the sector, Yiu said.
The surge comes as Hong Kong leverages new attractions like the recently opened Kai Tak Sports Park, which has drawn crowds from Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and mainland China. Yiu noted that half of the attendees at concerts held there were out-of-town visitors, injecting fresh energy into the city’s entertainment scene.
Looking ahead, Yiu projected the full-year tally could hit 50 million visitors, edging past the government’s estimate of 49 million. He credited upcoming events in the fourth quarter for the potential boost, though he cautioned that inbound and outbound travel, along with business trips, remain at roughly 70% of pre-pandemic levels. Many companies, still nursing wounds from the COVID-19 era, are reining in travel budgets, he explained.
Yiu also urged officials to rethink how they tally visitors, particularly those using Hong Kong as a pit stop en route to the mainland. “Many multi-stop travelers will pass through Hong Kong,” he said, suggesting a more nuanced statistical approach to capture the city’s role as a gateway.
Yet challenges linger in the “final stage” of recovery. Post-pandemic shifts in traveler behavior have altered spending habits, prompting Yiu to call for innovative digital tools in tourism and broader government efforts to enhance the business climate.
As chairman of China Travel Service (Hong Kong), Yiu highlighted strong ticket sales for the upcoming National Games, a major sports extravaganza co-hosted by Hong Kong. Sales have outpaced expectations, with the under-22 basketball finals already sold out. Despite worries about waning interest among mainland audiences, Yiu expressed confidence in the event’s success, thanks to “fresh initiatives” designed to captivate fans.
On the nightlife front, Yiu painted a picture of a nascent revival but persistent hurdles. The restaurant sector, he said, faces a “chicken or the egg” dilemma: Many eateries shuttered early during the pandemic — often by 9 p.m. — and now struggle without vibrant night markets to draw crowds. However, rising foot traffic from events could prompt some to extend hours, he added.
Yiu pointed to bustling dining spots at Kai Tak Sports Park as a model, where events have spurred consumer spending. “This highlights the importance of boosting traveler spending across the city,” he said, emphasizing the need for strategies to keep visitors lingering — and spending — longer in Hong Kong’s neon-lit streets.
