Hong Kong is preparing for at least 800,000 mainland Chinese visitors and around 5.9 million people to pass through border crossings during the Labor Day “Golden Week” holiday, with shopping festivals in popular tourist destinations. That’s planned, city leaders said.
The government’s forecast for the number of mainland tourists and arrivals during the five-day holiday period is 28% and 75% higher, respectively, compared to the same period last year.
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Chief Executive John Lee Kaciu said on Tuesday that the government is in close contact with transportation operators and working with businesses to offer promotions, including a “comprehensive plan” for the May 1-5 Golden Week holiday. He said that he had been making preparations. To ensure proper management of tour groups.
“We will make good use of this opportunity to show that Hong Kong is a vibrant city. We welcome tourists,” he said.
“Hong Kong offers tourists a good experience that they will not only enjoy but also tell their local friends and neighbors about after completing their errands.”
Mr Lee said the government would make further announcements on border crossing arrangements closer to the start of the busy holiday period.
“We remain committed to providing excellent and smooth service to our visitors,” he said.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board previously announced that a fireworks display will be held at Victoria Harbor on May 1st and a drone show on May 11th.
Mainland tourists visit the popular Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai.Photo: Mei Tse
A shopping festival will be held in the Yau Tsim Mong district, with various retailers and restaurants offering special offers and discounts, according to people familiar with the holiday arrangements.
Details of these initiatives are expected to be announced as early as Wednesday.
According to city councilor Chris Yip Gotun, Yau Tsimmeng District Council had proposed the festival as a promotional platform for businesses to reach potential customers.
“We hope that through this activity and promotion, businesses in this area will increase business,” Yip said.
He said the city council invited various stakeholders in the district to participate but did not impose any requirements on what they should provide.
“This festival complements the performances planned by the Tourism Bureau. We can expect a synergistic effect with the increase in tourists during the Golden Week period.”
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Mr Yip said that although the festival coincided with Golden Week, it was not only aimed at mainland customers, but also aimed at local residents as well as tourists from other countries.
He added that the festival could be held beyond the five-day period.
Hong Kong Tourism Association executive director Timothy Chew Ting-pong said the government’s forecasts for mainland tourists were realistic based on past experience and that tourists would provide a boost to the retail, tourism and food and beverage industries. He said he was deaf.
“This time is like the reverse of the Easter holiday, when most Hong Kongers left the city to cross the border or spend time abroad,” Chui said.
“[Labour Day] Although it is not a long holiday in Hong Kong, there will be a rush of tourists visiting Hong Kong. ”
Easter is not a public holiday on the mainland.
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Chui said that although prices in Hong Kong are not as low as in Shenzhen, local businesses should work on providing better services and products so that customers feel they are getting value for money.
Separately, Hong Kong Airport handled 4.36 million passengers and 29,840 flight movements last month, an increase of 56.7% and 48.2% respectively from a year ago.
Airport authorities also said there was growth in all passenger sectors, with traffic to and from Southeast Asia, the mainland and Japan recording the strongest increases, partly due to the Easter long holiday at the end of March.
