Hong Kong’s Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui is among popular locations for tourists to visit. - Photo: Jelly Tse / SCMP
HONG KONG: Hong Kong is expected to welcome as many as 1.2 million mainland Chinese visitors during the coming National Day “golden week” holiday, up 10 per cent from last year, according to the Travel Industry Council.
The council, a federation of trade associations, also predicted that the number of inbound tour groups could grow by nearly 10 per cent to 850 during the seven-day mainland holiday that starts on October 1.
However, a catering industry representative said the sector might not benefit significantly because of an anticipated large outflow of residents, while businesses were scaling back celebrations amid an uncertain economic outlook.
As well as the golden week boom, the coming months are peak cruise season, with the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau forecasting the year-end number of non-local passengers will surge by about 50 per cent compared with 2023.
Council chairwoman Gianna Hsu Wong Mei-lun on Sunday estimated 1.15 million to 1.2 million mainland visitors would arrive in Hong Kong during the golden week holiday, up from about 1.1 million in 2023.
She added that over 400 activities will be held in the city for National Day celebrations, which are projected to attract between 1.15 million and 1.2 million mainland visitors.
Meanwhile, hotels in the island anticipate 90 percent occupancy during the holiday, with room prices reaching HK$1,000.
The National Day fireworks display lit up the evening sky of Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong on Oct 1, 2023. - Photo: Edmond Tang/ China Daily/ANN
Hsu said around 850 tour groups of some 30,000 tourists will visit Hong Kong, a 10 percent rise from last year, with most groups staying overnight. Although this year's golden week is a day shorter than last year, more mainland cities have been included in the individual visit scheme, Hsu said.
The tourism sector is optimistic about tourist numbers this year as the Hong Kong Tourism Board has enhanced promotion in the mainland, she added.
Hsu said more international cruise ships will be arriving in the city later this year, which could bring in big spenders.
The Christmas atmosphere in Hong Kong could also attract more long-haul tourists.
But as more tourists are expected to visit, hotel prices have also risen. Room rates in Tsim Sha Tsui, Wan Chai and Central exceed HK$1,200 per night and some sea view rooms even charge over HK3,000, while prices for chain hotels in Sha Tin, North Point and Tseung Kwan O also cost nearly HK$1,000 per night.
Alan Chan Chung-yee, chief operations officer of Miramar Group, said it will come up with different packages to attract customers after offering early bird discounts last month.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board last week announced that the city has welcomed over 29.5 million visitors in the first eight months of this year, marking a 43.7 per cent year-on-year growth.- XInhua
"For example, our hotel near the high-speed rail station offers hotel room and express train ticket packages to attract individual travelers. For those who want luxury, we also have fine dining and spa packages," he said.
Nina Hospitality managing director Simon Manning said hotels under the group have been over 50 percent booked on the first four days of the golden week and expects the occupancy rate to exceed 90 percent during the holiday.
Some travelers are also interested in the new Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, which provides a new route for inbound travelers, said Hong Kong Travel Profession Union chairman Roy Lo Kai-pong.
Meanwhile, the Home Affairs Department has required organizer Sik Sik Yuen to explain the cancellation of a drone show celebrating the birthday of Master Wong Tai Sin on Saturday night.
Many individuals expressed their disappointment as they had waited for more than an hour before the cancellation.
Another drone show at Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground scheduled yesterday was also postponed to October 2 due to heavy rain.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board last week announced that the city has welcomed over 29.5 million visitors in the first eight months of this year, marking a 43.7 per cent year-on-year growth.
Visitors from the Chinese mainland accounted for 22.94 million, reflecting a 38.9 per cent year-on-year surge, while visitors from other places numbered 6.58 million, a 63.5 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.
August alone saw nearly 4.5 million arrivals, up 9.2 per cent from August 2023, with half of them opting to stay in the city overnight. The board projected that the city would record a total of 46 million visitors this year, compared with the 34 million visitor footprint in 2023.
Among the National Day festivities, a horse-themed drone show, featuring Hong Kong scenes and Chinese ink horse paintings by artist Xu Beihong (1895-1953), will take place in Wan Chai on Sept 28.
A special National Day edition of light and sound show A Symphony of Lights will illuminate Victoria Harbour in October, featuring enhanced lighting effects and congratulatory messages.
From Saturday through Nov 30, over 750 merchants in the Yau Tsim Mong district will offer 25 per cent discounts on goods and dining. - Agencies
