John Lee says HK welcomes tourists of all kinds as ‘Golden Week’ sees 22pc surge in visitors

Hong Kong welcomed over 1.1 million visitors during the mainland's May Day "Golden Week" holiday, marking a 22 percent increase compared to the same period last year, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced on Tuesday.

The holiday period, which concluded on Sunday, saw a 20 percent rise in mainland tourists and an even sharper 30 percent growth in non-mainland visitors.

Speaking to the press ahead of his weekly Executive Council meeting, Lee described the week as "prosperous in both popularity and purse," highlighting the economic boost brought by the influx of tourists.

However, he also called for a thorough review of crowd management strategies to ensure Hong Kong remains a welcoming destination for all types of travelers.

The Chief Executive directed the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) and other relevant departments to collaborate with industry stakeholders in assessing the holiday period’s logistics. Their findings will be presented to the interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, to refine future tourism planning.

Among the key areas for improvement is the use of technology to manage congestion, said Lee, who suggested enhancing telecom network capacity in high-traffic zones, implementing real-time crowd monitoring systems, and providing online updates on queue times to improve visitor experiences.

He also emphasized the need to adapt to emerging travel trends, such as eco-tourism, cultural excursions, and social media-driven "check-in" spots, many of which gain popularity through influencer endorsements.

Addressing the rise of budget-conscious tourists - who often engage in fast-paced, low-cost trips. Lee stressed that Hong Kong should remain inclusive.

"If we give the impression that the city only welcomes a certain type of visitor, it could harm our reputation and make Hong Kong less appealing overall," he said.

Reports of some tourists spending nights in fast-food restaurants due to budget constraints sparked discussions about hospitality standards. Lee, however, maintained that all visitors should be treated with equal warmth.

"Whether they are high-end or budget travelers, we should embrace them. Even if their spending is modest this time, they may return and contribute more in the future," he added.

The holiday’s peak day was May 2, when 267,000 mainland tourists entered Hong Kong. Popular attractions, including the Hong Kong Observation Wheel, Peak Tram, Ngong Ping 360, and sightseeing buses, saw heavy foot traffic. Despite the crowds, major sites such as the East Dam of High Island Reservoir maintained smooth operations, with no major disruptions reported.

(Marco Lam)