Visitor numbers hit 90pc of pre-pandemic levels during Labour Day holiday, says tourism veteran

Visitor arrivals during the Labour Day Golden Week rebounded to 90 percent of pre-pandemic levels, surpassing expectations, according to the Travel Industry Council (TIC).

Speaking on a radio program Wednesday, TIC Executive Director Fanny Yeung Shuk-fan revealed that 33,000 travelers entered Hong Kong in tour groups, with two-thirds opting for overnight stays.

Yeung attributed the tourism recovery to the city's enhanced appeal, citing major attractions like the grand opening of Kai Tak Sports Park, public appearances of locally bred giant panda cubs, and favorable weather conditions that encouraged outdoor activities.

Addressing overcrowding concerns at natural attractions, Yeung urged the government to strengthen crowd control measures, suggesting visitor quotas for popular destinations such as High Island Reservoir East Dam for both individual travelers and tour groups.

Meanwhile, Dennis Wong Ka-wing, Programme Director of Operations and Development at the Vocational Training Council, recommended implementing real-time monitoring systems to provide updates on tourist site congestion.

He also noted most Hong Kong districts lack infrastructure to handle sudden visitor surges, advocating for a strategic shift from pursuing visitor quantity to attracting high-spending tourists.

(Judy Cui)