Hong Kong sees an 8pc increase in November visitors

The Hong Kong Tourism Board announced on Friday the preliminary number of visitors to Hong Kong in November is approximately 3.57 million, an 8 percent year-on-year increase. It also said over the past 11 months, the total number of visitors reached around 40.25 million, a 34 percent rise from the previous year. Notably, about half of these visitors stayed overnight.

Among the 3.57 million visitors in November, over one million were non-mainland tourists, marking a new single-month high since the full reopening of borders. This segment experienced an annual growth of nearly 20 percent.

Travel from regions like the Philippines has been particularly robust, with visitor numbers by November exceeding those of 2018's full-year statistics. The non-mainland visitor figures include travelers from long-haul, short-haul, and new markets, as well as the Macau SAR.

Meanwhile, the Tourism Board said Starting December 21, it will launch a panda-themed promotional campaign featuring icons from “Panda Friends & Family Hong Kong” to attract more tourists.

The campaign will highlight local experiences, such as visiting cha chaan tengs, art galleries, museums, and mega-events at the Kai Tak Sports Park. Additionally, MTR trains running through the city will feature panda-themed decorations to boost the city's appeal to travelers.