Topic
The Chinese "golden week" refers either of the two week-long holidays around National Day on October 1, and the lunar calendar Spring Festival which usually falls in January or February of each year. Tens of millions of Chinese travel by air, train and road to family reunions, vacations or shopping centres during these holidays.
Hong Kong can congratulate itself on the high number of mainland visitors despite the awful weather, but there’s still room for fresh ideas and better targeted policies.
The trick of piecing together two or three ‘golden weeks’ on a yearly calendar should not replace initiatives such as promoting wage growth, reducing taxes on households and enhancing social welfare coverage.
Hong Kong must come up with more targeted and effective promotions to avoid missing out on tourists from mainland China in May Day break bonanza.
Concerns over economic growth are understandable at a challenging time, but there also many positives that could surprise the naysayers.
City is pinning its hopes on holidays to boost economy and bring public cheer at challenging time
The city can celebrate the return of economic growth after such hard times, but with the increase in visitors it has to remain competitive.
With so many people in the city relying on tourism commerce, the “golden week” holiday offers Hong Kong a chance to showcase its unique appeal.
- Financial Secretary Paul Chan says government will continue to work hard to attract more tourists to city, despite apparent trend towards commuter visitors
- Hong Kong recorded 893,764 inward trips over the five day golden week break, which ended on Sunday
The Labour Day holiday saw a surge of tourism in China, setting records and providing a boost to consumption at a time when the country is looking to solidify its economic recovery.
One mainland couple opted to stay in Futian on ‘golden week’ break and commute daily across the border to Hong Kong to save cash.
Tourism minister Kevin Yeung says about 670,000 mainlanders came to city over first four days of Labour Day break.
Simon Wong, president of Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, says visitor numbers below expectations compared with pre-pandemic levels.
A cheaper Japanese yen is too appealing to pass up for many of China’s outbound holidaymakers, and tourism in South Korea is taking a hit.
About 800,000 trips made on Wednesday, below 1 million estimate, official data shows.
Hong Kong Tourism Association’s Timothy Chui says some mainland Chinese visitors felt let down by event marking Labour Day ‘golden week’ break.
Industry figure Simon Wong says restaurants can expect a 10 per cent drop in business against last year’s figures.
Visitors head to Victoria Harbour to see pyrotechnics, but some say ‘budget-style’ display not as impressive as past shows.
At least five tourist groups, each with 30 to 40 people, take photos in front of popular red brick wall displaying name and crest of HKU between 11am and 12pm.
Controversy follows earlier online debate over rules governing ‘bed curtains’ for privacy in shared rooms and smoking and alcohol on campus.
Data from the Immigration Department shows about 295,800 people, including roughly 184,440 residents, had also left the city as of 9pm
City also recorded more than 6,100 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes amid unstable weather on Tuesday night.
Crowds pack Hennessy Road for Mirror member’s 25th birthday, amid a free ride day sponsored by the fan club.
Police and Department of Health mount joint operation in Yau Tsim Mong district, arresting trio, aged between 29 and 33, for alleged illegal sale of medicinal products.
Predictions restaurant trade will suffer from golden week double whammy despite an estimated 800,000 tourist arrivals from across the border.
Transport Department has allocated an additional 40 per cent quota for cross-border bus operators to increase service frequencies over the May 1-5 holiday.
More inspections will be conducted in city’s tourist attractions, control points, restaurants and shops during mainland China holiday from May 1 to 5, authorities say.
Officially back with a bang, Hong Kong’s neighbouring getaway sports a fresh crop of luxury stays – here’s our pick of the new openings to book now
Fireworks display and shopping discounts to be on offer for May ‘golden week’ holiday, but some lawmakers appeal for more attention for less well-known areas of city.
Chief Executive John Lee says the government has been making ‘comprehensive preparations’ for the coming ‘golden week’ holiday.
City leader acknowledges ‘new period of economic development’ for Hong Kong and that local businesses have been adapting to shifting demands.
Erratic shifts in China’s economic growth and consumption are proving to be far more than numbers on a page as small-business owners attempt to keep up normal operations.
Brisk demand for Apple’s iPhone 15 series and Huawei Technologies’ Mate 60 Pro 5G handsets is improving the outlook of China’s smartphone market for the rest of 2023.
Post observes some 300 people at event launched as part of government drive to promote nighttime economy and get people out spending money.
