Ahead of Labour Day, a sensible tweak to Hong Kong’s tourism strategy
While mainland arrivals are still down from their heyday, the tourism strategy is pivoting from pursuing numbers to seeking higher value
The upcoming Labour Day “golden week” holiday promises another bonanza for Hong Kong’s tourism and related sectors as the city leverages a string of high-profile attractions – from horse racing days to revamped dining and shopping experiences – to pull in both mainland and overseas visitors. Hopefully, the drive can fine-tune the tourism strategy into one focusing on both quantity and quality.
Separately, more than 50 local restaurants and shops have joined a “tourism everywhere” campaign until the end of June, offering themed deals and discounts in the hope of luring visitors and local residents to the art, historical sites, local culture and delicacies of the Central and Sheung Wan area.
While mainland arrivals are still short of those in the pre-pandemic heyday, the tourism strategy is sensibly pivoting from pursuing numbers to seeking higher value.
According to a recent joint study by Hong Kong Polytechnic University and consultancy Think China, same-day travellers, mainly from the Greater Bay Area, visited more frequently but spent less, with median spending of about 1,000 yuan (US$146) per trip. Overnight visitors, more likely to come from outside the region, stayed an average of 2.6 nights and spent about 5,000 yuan in total. Travellers also tend to be more cost-conscious and value-driven, with some cutting accommodation costs while maintaining or increasing overall spending, according to the study.