Hong Kong expects 1.4m mainland tourists for Lunar New Year

Nearly 1.4 million mainland visitors are expected to travel to Hong Kong during this year's Chinese New Year holiday, representing an increase from last year.

The holiday in mainland China will take place from 15 to 23 February, lasting nine days from the 28th day of the 12th lunar month to the seventh day of the new year, one day longer than last year.

Travel Industry Council executive director Fanny Yeung predicted that nearly 1.4 million mainland visitors will travel to Hong Kong during this year's Chinese New Year holiday, reflecting a strong optimism for Hong Kong’s tourism market during the festive period, according to The Standard. 

Themed  “Everywhere a wish” (福運全城), this year’s Chinese New Year celebration will feature a series of activities, including Chinese New Year flower markets, prayers at Wong Tai Sin Temple and Che Kung Temple, the night parade, Victoria Harbour fireworks and the Year of the Horse Raceday. 

Leading the series of highlight festive programmes is the “Cathay international Chinese New Year night parade”, organised by Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB). This year’s parade is themed “Best fortune．world party” (開年 開運 開心). On the evening of the first day of Chinese New Year (17 February), a total of 60 floats and performing groups will present a spectacular global party in Tsim Sha Tsui, interacting with large crowds of locals and visitors along the route to spread lively blessings.

Apart from long-term partners such as Cathay, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, and Ocean Park Hong Kong, new brands participating include McDonald’s Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Brand Toy Association and Lam Tsuen Wishing Square. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, McDonald’s Hong Kong will feature a classic train float inspired by the brand’s iconic 1980s restaurant design installation. 

The Hong Kong Brand Toy Association float will bring together local trendy IPs, such as popular characters Labubu and Molly, to present Hong Kong’s creative culture. Meanwhile, the Lam Tsuen Wishing Square float will transform into a mobile “Glowing Wishing Tree”, recreating Hong Kong’s unique village praying culture and festive customs.

Meanwhile, Guangdong-registered vehicles are allowed to enter Hong Kong’s urban areas during the festival for the first time. Yeung said that while there are currently only 100 daily quotas under the Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles scheme, which is relatively small, it is expected to boost tourism in areas like Lantau Island, according to the report. 

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On the other hand, Rosanna Law, the secretary for culture, sports and tourism, said on TVB's programme "On The Record" that the recent Christmas holiday and this year's Chinese New Year are spaced further apart, increasing travellers' willingness to visit Hong Kong. This year, the mainland's new year holiday lasts for nine days, and with a rich lineup of local celebrations, there is optimism for higher visitor numbers during the Chinese New Year compared to Christmas. The hotel industry has also reported a surge in bookings, as travellers are choosing to stay in Hong Kong to comfortably enjoy the fireworks.

With multiple major events this year, Law said she is confident that the total number of visitors to Hong Kong will exceed 50 million.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong Tourism Association executive director Timothy Chui also said that the average daily number of visitor arrivals has risen by about 10% to 20% over the past week, as some mainland tourists opt to travel during off-peak times. Since late January, many families have been arriving, taking advantage of their children's school holidays, according to the report. A number of small and medium-sized hotels have already achieved an 80% booking rate for the Chinese New Year period, while demand for coach bookings is also encouraging, he added. 

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