Record millionth Philippine tourist welcomed

Ayra Wang

The city welcomed its millionth tourist from the Philippines on Friday, surpassing the previous record of 930,000 set in 2018, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

Hong Kong had more than 2.3 million visitors from Southeast Asia in the first 10 months this year, rebounding to about 95 percent of prepandemic levels.

"The number of visitors from Southeast Asia has shown robust growth since the city fully reopened to international travelers, and the region leads the way as the fastest-recovering market for inbound tourism," the board said yesterday.

More than 36 million tourists visited Hong Kong between January and October, up 37 percent year-on-year, and among them nearly 28 million were from the mainland.

Among visitors from Southeast Asia, the number of Filipino visitors accounted for the highest number at 920,113, marking a 66 percent surge over the same 10-month period last year. That is a recovery rate of 127 percent compared to the prepandemic level.

Next are Thailand tourists at 416, 571, Singapore at 338,587, Malaysia at 305,020 and Indonesian at 282,149.

The board welcomed the Philippines' Miguel Linao, traveling with his wife and their three children, as the millionth visitor on Friday at the Hong Kong International Airport. Linao said his family has visited Hong Kong multiple times, including to accompany a daughter to a gymnastics competition and to do some sightseeing as well.

"Since it takes only two-and-a-half hours to travel from the Philippines to Hong Kong, we've often visited the city," Linao said.

"What we love most about Hong Kong are its delicious food and theme parks and we have all been looking forward to this trip!"

HKTB executive director Dane Cheng Ting-yat presented a bouquet to the family as well as gifts, including Mickey Mouse and panda plush toys. Cheng said the increased international arrivals have been "encouraging," and Hong Kong has become the top destination for travelers from the Philippines.

"We know visitors from Southeast Asia love to come to Hong Kong to celebrate festive holidays, so we are stepping up our promotion of the WinterFest to entice more travelers to experience our city's vibrant festive atmosphere," he said.

Visitors from Southeast Asia are young and stay an average of 3.4 nights while spending HK$7,100 per capita, according to HKTB's analysis.

The top three places they visit are theme parks, markets - such as Temple Street and Ladies' Market - and the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade - which includes the Avenue of Stars, Clock Tower and Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com