As the Lunar New Year approaches, many Hongkongers are eager to escape the city for vacation, leading to long queues at the Hong Kong International Airport on the eve of the holiday. Families are heading to popular destinations like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, signaling a strong desire to celebrate the festive season abroad.
With the official holiday starting tomorrow, families arrived at the airport hours in advance, anticipating the busy travel day. Airport staff were on hand, waving signboards in the restricted areas to assist passengers navigating the bustling terminal.
Despite a notable rise in airfare and hotel costs—up 50% compared to ordinary weekdays—many families prioritized their travel plans. A family traveling to Hokkaido, Japan, shared, “We are mainly accompanying the children to see the icebreaker ship. We stayed in Hong Kong for Christmas, so we opted to travel abroad for this holiday.”
Another family heading to Seoul expressed their excitement about visiting theme parks, farms, and museums. Interestingly, some children admitted they preferred traveling abroad to receiving lai see, the traditional red envelopes filled with money.
Timothy Chui Ting-pong, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, noted a resurgence in group tours, with package sales nearing pre-pandemic levels. “Travelers have registered for Lunar New Year trips before Christmas, and relevant tour products have sold out, particularly for short- and medium-haul trips to the mainland,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the recent resumption of the multiple-entry individual visit scheme for Shenzhen residents has brought a wave of mainland tourists to Hong Kong, invigorating local businesses. Between December 1 and January 14, approximately 299,000 visas were issued, with around 1.04 million Shenzhen residents visiting the city during that time, according to the National Immigration Administration.
Mainland tourist Cai expressed her delight at the ease of crossing the border, stating, “It feels like I’m just going to my neighbor’s house.” She explained that her shopping list includes essentials like shampoo and Chinese medicine. Another tourist, Lu, shared that her suitcase was filled with snacks, emphasizing the newfound convenience of frequent visits: “In the past, I could only come once a week. But now we can come whenever we want.”
Local lawmaker Edward Leung Hei highlighted the significance of the permit for retail businesses, calling it a lifeline for many. “Hong Kong people spending in the mainland has already stimulated cities. With more Greater Bay Area visitors coming to Hong Kong, we can also expect a boost to our economy,” he stated.
Despite the higher prices in Hong Kong, Leung noted that tourists still prefer shopping in the city for its reliable product quality. He urged the government to negotiate with the mainland to increase the duty-free allowance for visitors, which could further enhance the shopping experience for tourists.
As the city prepares to celebrate the Lunar New Year, the dual dynamic of outbound travel and an influx of mainland visitors is reshaping the local tourism landscape, promising a vibrant holiday season for both travelers and businesses alike.
