Hong Kong welcomed 34 million tourists last year, but tourist numbers in December reached 65% of pre-pandemic levels as the city rolled out a series of events to attract tourists during the holiday season.
Visitor numbers in 2023 exceeded the initial forecast of 30 million, and were 55% of the average recorded in 2017 and 2018, Tourism Department executive director Daeng Chen Tin Yat said on Saturday.
“The number of tourists, 34 million, exceeded our expectations and reached 55 percent of pre-pandemic levels. “In December alone, visitor numbers reached 65 per cent of pre-COVID levels,” he said on a radio show.
“We hope that this upward trend will continue as the aviation industry gradually resumes operational capacity and better arrangements are made at various border crossings to facilitate passenger flow.”
Chen added that there is currently no forecast for this year’s tourist numbers as the board is still evaluating.
According to the commission, around 4 million tourists visited Hong Kong in December last year.
While mainland China remained the largest source of visitors to Hong Kong through 2023 with more than 26.7 million visitors, Southeast Asia was the fastest-recovering region. Visitor numbers from the Philippines and Thailand reached 116% and 106% of pre-pandemic levels, respectively, in December.
Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year parade returns after 5 years
Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year parade returns after 5 years
The commission said overnight guests accounted for half of all tourism last year, a higher proportion than before the pandemic. The average length of stay for all visitors was 3.6 nights, longer than recorded pre-COVID-19.
However, Chen said it was unrealistic to expect visitor numbers to reach the 65 million logged-in users in 2018.
“We should not expect visitor numbers to increase to the 2018 record of 65 million,” he said. “This figure includes 20,000 to 30,000 parallel traders per day, impacting the tourist experience and driving up prices.”
Hong Kongers flock to Shenzhen’s new Costco, waiting in line for more than two hours
Hong Kongers flock to Shenzhen’s new Costco, waiting in line for more than two hours
Hong Kong’s annual Lunar New Year parade will resume for the first time in five years on February 10, the first day of the Year of the Dragon, with organizers announcing the largest number of overseas performing groups to date. Participating artists include Japanese female pop dance group Avantgardey, Spain’s Light Dancers, and German theater company Universe of Lights.
“Hong Kong is in talks regarding resuming multiple entry visas for Shenzhen residents”
“Hong Kong is in talks regarding resuming multiple entry visas for Shenzhen residents”
The board said it expects the event to draw around 150,000 spectators, 30% of whom will be tourists.
Hong Kong’s revamped district council will also hold carnivals in nearby areas, including a Thai-style festival in Kowloon City, where Southeast Asian cultural influences can be felt, and light up Tai Po’s famous wishing tree with special lights. We also suggest decorating it with
Separately, Finance Secretary Paul Chan Mopo will leave for Davos, Switzerland, on Sunday evening to attend the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting. Heads of government, representatives of major international organizations and senior corporate executives from more than 100 countries and regions are expected to attend.
Topics include strengthening global security and cooperation, creating growth and jobs, and determining a long-term strategy to combat climate change.
Mr Chan said he and his team will promote Hong Kong and encourage companies to invest in Hong Kong.
“We will also introduce new benefits and measures in promoting industrial development, encouraging companies to establish a foothold and invest here,” he said.