The bustling streets of Hong Kong came alive during the Chinese New Year Golden Week, as an impressive 1.4 million visitors flooded the city from January 28 to February 5. The interdepartmental working group overseeing festival arrangements reported that the influx was met with seamless reception processes across all points of entry.
The Immigration Department’s statistics revealed that approximately 1.2 million of those visitors hailed from the Mainland, averaging about 150,000 arrivals each day. The peak day was January 30, the second day of the Lunar New Year, when around 190,000 visitors entered the city. Notably, the Express Rail Link West Kowloon Control Point was the busiest, followed closely by the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point.
Tourists ventured to a variety of attractions, with significant foot traffic recorded at popular sites such as the West Kowloon Cultural District, Ocean Park, Hong Kong Disneyland, the Peak Tram, and Ngong Ping 360. According to industry reports, hotel occupancy rates soared to around 90% during this festive period.
The Travel Industry Authority highlighted that over 2,200 inbound tour groups arrived from the Mainland, with roughly 83% of these groups opting for overnight stays. These tour groups, totaling about 79,000 visitors, represented around 7% of all Mainland arrivals.
Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, who leads the working group, expressed satisfaction with the events held throughout the Golden Week. “The wide array of celebrations was well received by both the public and visitors,” he noted. Events included the Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade, a dazzling fireworks display, the Chinese New Year Raceday, and the Chinese New Year Cup football match, which took place during the first four days of the Lunar New Year.
Chan commended the effective collaboration among government departments, organizations, and the public, stating, “Thanks to their efforts, the reception arrangements operated smoothly this year, allowing citizens and tourists to celebrate the Chinese New Year in a joyous and festive manner.”
As the celebrations conclude, Hong Kong’s vibrant cultural scene and hospitality continue to shine, promising visitors an unforgettable experience in the heart of the city.
