HK sees 14pc increase in arrivals after quarantine cut

Hong Kong's decision to reduce the number of days arrivals must spend in hotel quarantine triggered an increase in incoming travelers, with around 24,000 flying into the city in the first four days since the quarantine cut came into effect.

From Friday (Aug 12), arrivals are required to spend three nights in a hotel - down from the previous seven - followed by four days in which they’re restricted from entering high-risk places like restaurants, bars, and hospitals. 

According to official statistics, around 24,000 travelers have entered the city through the Hong Kong International Airport in the past four days since Friday - a 14 percent increase from the same period a week earlier.

Of the 24,000 arrivals, some 17,700 were local residents and around 5,100 were visitors from the mainland.

Meanwhile, the past Sunday alone has seen 7,428 travelers arriving in Hong Kong, as well as over 5,600 people departing the city.