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Ken Chu

Recent figures from the Hong Kong Tourism Board suggest a robust recovery of our city’s tourism sector, with a surge in both the number and diversity of visitors. Last year brought the city close to 45 million visitors, representing a 31 per cent increase over 2023.
Mainland China remains the dominant market, while non-mainland visitors reached 10.5 million, an increase of 44 per cent from the previous year. Long-haul arrivals rose by over 50 per cent, while among short-haul visitors, those from the Philippines hit a record of 1.2 million.
According to Euromonitor, Hong Kong was the fourth-most popular destination for international arrivals, with its 20.5 million trips marking a 19 per cent increase from 2023. While these statistics reflect a promising trajectory, sustaining and maximising Hong Kong’s tourism recovery will be challenging.
Meanwhile, the mainland is enjoying a resurgence in international tourism at the same time as Hong Kong. Since late 2023, the central government has increased the number of countries whose citizens can travel to China visa-free to 38. Last year, foreigners made almost 65 million inbound and outbound trips to and from China, a nearly 83 per cent year-on-year increase. Of these, around 20 million were visa-free trips, more than double the 2023 figure.
It might be worthwhile to take a leaf out of Shanghai’s book; the city has seen a surge in South Korean arrivals. The sheer volume of Korean visitors has created an almost “mini-Seoul” atmosphere, with some visitors demonstrating enthusiastic spending habits. This trend signals a potentially lucrative opportunity for Hong Kong.
The city’s vibrant culinary scene – which is visible in the 79 Hong Kong restaurants listed in the 2024 Michelin Guide, including seven three-star establishments – reinforces its reputation as a food capital. The Hong Kong government’s plan to launch an 18-district gourmet guide and host major food festivals is a worthwhile step towards attracting global food lovers.


While Hong Kong and the mainland’s tourism resurgence is promising, there are still several challenges to address. The rising cost of travel because of inflation and currency fluctuations could deter potential visitors. The strength of the US dollar has made Hong Kong relatively expensive compared to regional competitors such as Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.
Additionally, despite China’s efforts to boost inbound travel by relaxing visa policies, geopolitical tensions and lingering unfavourable perceptions in some countries could weigh on long-haul tourism. Efforts to enhance Hong Kong’s global image and showcase its unique cultural blend will be vital.
Southeast Asian destinations such as Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia are aggressively marketing themselves with attractive incentives such as visa-free entry, digital nomad programmes and competitive hotel packages. Hong Kong must innovate beyond its traditional appeal to remain a preferred destination.
There are also concerns around Hong Kong’s infrastructure, including congestion at border checkpoints with the mainland. Streamlining cross-border travel procedures and improving transport links will go a long way towards bolstering travel within the Greater Bay Area.




The government released a development blueprint for Hong Kong’s tourism industry late last month. This strategy makes special note of cultural and heritage tourism, but there is little detail on how smaller local businesses and community-based tourism initiatives will benefit. The blueprint also seems to focus heavily on attracting luxury and high-end travellers, but it is vital to address affordability concerns that could deter a broader range of visitors.
To capitalise on the influx of international tourists into the mainland, Hong Kong should position itself as an essential stopover destination. The city can achieve this through strategic partnerships with airlines and travel agencies. Collaborating with carriers operating direct flights between international hubs and major mainland cities could enable bundled “one-price” travel packages linking Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing.
Additionally, Hong Kong should work closely with mainland travel agencies to persuade more group travellers to visit the city. Currently, an estimated 97 per cent of Hong Kong’s visitors are independent travellers. We could try to attract visa-free groups visiting the mainland by riding on the “one-stop” service they enjoy, particularly encouraging first-time international visitors arriving in mainland China to extend their stay in the city.


The approaching Lunar New Year is a golden opportunity to showcase Hong Kong’s distinct blend of Eastern and Western festivities. From iconic firework displays over Victoria Harbour to traditional lion dances, the city’s vibrant celebrations attract global visitors. Moreover, the much-anticipated debut of the twin giant panda cubs born in Hong Kong is set to be a major draw during the festive season.
As the Hong Kong government emphasises a “tourism everywhere” philosophy, it must continue to diversify experiences. By staying attuned to central government policies and mainland travel trends, Hong Kong can solidify its position as a top-tier international tourism hub, revitalising its economy and sustaining long-term growth.


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Hong Kong and the mainland are seeing rises in foreign arrivals, and working together could drive the city’s tourism industry to new heights


Hong Kong and the mainland are seeing rises in foreign arrivals, and working together could drive the city’s tourism industry to new heights.


Chinese tourists

Tourism

Hong Kong economy

China travel

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


How Hong Kong can ride the ‘China travel’ wave to boost tourism

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Hong Kong and the mainland are seeing rises in foreign arrivals, and working together could drive the city’s tourism industry to new heights

Hong Kong and the mainland are seeing rises in foreign arrivals, and working together could drive the city’s tourism industry to new heights