HK sees over 52,000 mainland visitors on third day of LNY

Over 200,000 inbound and outbound travelers through various ports were reported as of 10 am on Friday, according to the Immigration Department, with more than 52,000 mainland visitors entering Hong Kong.

West Kowloon Station was graced with a fortune god on-site. Many tourists seized the opportunity to take photos, hoping to bring good luck and prosperity for the new year.

A traveler from Hebei remarked, "The festive atmosphere in Hong Kong is much stronger. We’re planning to go to Disneyland with the kids.” Another tourist from Shanghai wanted to show his kids around local universities.

Long lines formed outside popular stores in Tsim Sha Tsui. A mainland visitor shared, "I’m buying some clothes, shoes, and bags, spending just over HK$10,000. It’s great; Hong Kong is a shopping paradise!"

Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, expressed satisfaction with the number of incoming travelers and hotel occupancy rates during the mainland's Chinese New Year Golden Week.

"Many hotels are experiencing occupancy rates of nearly 100 percent, with some reporting rates above 90 percent. This reflects how well Hong Kong's Lunar New Year celebrations are attracting both domestic and international visitors," Law noted.