Travel Industry Council executive director Fanny Yeung Shuk-fan predicted that nearly 1.4 million mainland visitors will travel to Hong Kong during the Chinese New Year holiday this year, marking an increase from last year.
The holiday in mainland China will run from February 15 to 23, spanning 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.
Yeung is highly optimistic about Hong Kong’s tourism market for the festive period. She pointed out that the city will feature a diverse lineup of events, such as a float parade on the first day of the Lunar New Year, a fireworks display on the second day, Year of the Horse Raceday on the third day, as well as traditional events like the Well-wishing Festival in Lam Tsuen and Lunar New Year Cup.
For the first time, Guangdong-registered vehicles are allowed to enter Hong Kong’s urban areas during the festival. Yeung noted that although there are currently only 100 daily quotas for the Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles scheme – a relatively small number – it is expected to boost tourism in areas such as Lantau Island.
Hong Kong Tourism Association executive director Timothy Chui Ting-pong noted that the average daily number of visitor arrivals to Hong Kong has increased by about 10 to 20 percent over the past week, as some mainland tourists have chosen to travel during off-peak periods. Since late January, many families have arrived as their children are on school holidays.
Chui, as the hotel and coach company operator, added that many small and medium sized-hotels have already achieved an 80 percent booking rate for the Chinese New Year period, while demand for coach bookings is also encouraging.
