Hong Kong is steadily recovering from the darkest days of the coronavirus pandemic, when tourism virtually dried up. The difference is clear as visitors from mainland China and around the world flock to popular tourist spots on holidays, weekends and in between.
Although tourism numbers have yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels, there are encouraging trends in a positive direction.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board said it expected tourist arrivals to reach 21 million in the first half of 2024, up 64% from the same period last year, when Hong Kong was easing pandemic measures and mainland China was lifting its final travel restrictions.
The number of international visitors in the first half of 2024 is expected to grow by 80% to about 5 million, about half of whom were overnight guests, the same as in 2018. Overnight visitors cited Tsim Sha Tsui, Temple Street, Ladies’ Market in Mong Kok, The Peak and Disneyland as their most popular tourist attractions.
Tourists take photos of the Hong Kong skyline from the Victoria Peak observation deck. Photo: EPA-EFE
The tourism bureau said the majority of people surveyed would recommend the city to others.
While the numbers are encouraging, Hong Kong isn’t out of the woods yet: The commission previously projected tourist numbers to reach 46 million this year, up 35% from last year but still only about two-thirds of 2018’s 65 million.
There is also concern that the number of days tourists are spending in the city is falling, with the average stay falling to 4.9 days in the first quarter compared to 3.2 days in the first half of 2023. More mainland Chinese tourists are taking day trips to the city.
A strong dollar didn’t help matters, though. Visitors from mainland China still increased by more than 60% from last year to 16.1 million.
While Hong Kong is right to promote itself in Middle Eastern, European and American markets to aid its recovery, the figures are a reminder that Hong Kong has plenty of great things to offer its tourists.
Crowds gather at Temple Street Market in Mong Kok, a popular tourist destination. Photo: Elson Lee
The Hong Kong government has allocated more than HK$1 billion (US$128 million) to boost tourism and has planned a series of big events through the end of the year and beyond, but some efforts have fallen short.
The “Night Vibes” campaign has not garnered much attention.
The city is counting on a revival of tourism to create jobs and growth, and officials will need to continue to adjust how they attract visitors to help bring a much-needed boost to the economy.
