Hong Kong’s Travel Industry Council projects that up to 1.4 million mainland Chinese visitors will enter the city during the 15–23 February Lunar New Year break, a 6 percent increase on last year. About 2,600 organised tour groups are expected, according to executive director Fanny Yeung.
High-speed rail tickets from Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Shanghai sold out within minutes of release, underlining robust demand despite a strong Hong Kong dollar. Hotels in Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay report near-full occupancy for the core holiday nights and have raised room rates by 10–15 percent.
![Hong Kong braces for 1.4 million mainland visitors over Lunar New Year]()
Authorities say immigration counters can handle the influx after adding 140 smart e-gates at West Kowloon and Lo Wu. Business chambers welcome the surge, noting that larger crowds will coincide with two fintech conferences and Art Basel. Retailers hope for a bounce after sluggish fourth-quarter sales, although analysts warn that spend-per-head remains below pre-pandemic levels.
Cross-border commuters should expect congestion on the Shenzhen Bay Bridge and advise travellers to pre-register on Hong Kong’s ‘Smart Arrival’ system, which now recognises China’s new e-passports and QR code health declarations.
High-speed rail tickets from Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Shanghai sold out within minutes of release, underlining robust demand despite a strong Hong Kong dollar. Hotels in Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay report near-full occupancy for the core holiday nights and have raised room rates by 10–15 percent.
Authorities say immigration counters can handle the influx after adding 140 smart e-gates at West Kowloon and Lo Wu. Business chambers welcome the surge, noting that larger crowds will coincide with two fintech conferences and Art Basel. Retailers hope for a bounce after sluggish fourth-quarter sales, although analysts warn that spend-per-head remains below pre-pandemic levels.
Cross-border commuters should expect congestion on the Shenzhen Bay Bridge and advise travellers to pre-register on Hong Kong’s ‘Smart Arrival’ system, which now recognises China’s new e-passports and QR code health declarations.
Source: South China Morning Post
