Golden Week brings visitor surge, boosting businesses

The number of incoming travelers during the Labour Day Golden Week has been substantial, tourism chief Rosanna Law Shuk-pui said, as retail and catering sectors report a “better than expected” business.

Lau Hak-bun, director of the Kowloon Pearls, Precious Stones, Jade, Gold and Silver Ornament Merchants Association, said businesses surged by 30 percent, which has exceeded expectations.

Wholesale and retail sector lawmaker Peter Shiu said he also observed a 30 percent increase in sales within jewelry, cosmetics and dried seafood shops in tourist areas, benefiting from the expansion of the Individual Visit Scheme and Shenzhen’s multiple-entry permit policy.

He said the sales increase is a “much-needed boost” for the city’s sluggish retail market.

Echoing Shiu was catering veteran Simon Wong Ka-wo, who added that more Hongkongers stayed in the SAR during the Labour Day holidays as compared to Easter, resulting in bustling street activity.

He added that although mainland tourists’ spending patterns have shifted, they tend to visit multiple districts, benefiting restaurants in those districts. 

Restaurants with affordable prices and those launching promotion campaigns on mainland social media therefore saw noticeable revenue growth.

(Michael Shum)