As the summer holidays come to a close, tourism sector lawmaker Perry Yiu Pak-leung anticipates that the number of visitors to Hong Kong in August could surpass 5 million, potentially setting a new post-pandemic record.
Speaking in a television interview, Yiu reported that approximately 9.6 million tourists visited the city between July and August, representing a 14- to 15-percent increase compared to the same period last year.
As the growth aligns with the traditional peak travel season, Yiu noted it represents a steady recovery in the industry.
Following the opening of the Kai Tak Sports Park, Yiu observed a rise in visitors from Southeast and Northeast Asia as well as the mainland enjoying the events in the city, with half of the attendees at concerts being tourists.
When asked about the timeline for reaching pre-pandemic visitor levels, Yiu estimated that the total number of visitors for the year could reach 50 million, surpassing the government's forecast of 49 million.
He believed that various events planned for the fourth quarter could attract more travelers. However, he noted that both inbound and outbound travel, as well as business travel, reached only around 70 percent of pre-pandemic levels, suggesting that many businesses are still in the recovery period and have limited business travel expenses.
Since many multi-stop travelers will pass through Hong Kong on their way to the mainland, Yiu suggested the government reconsider how their visits are counted in statistics.
Challenges at the final stage in recovery
Acknowledging the challenges in the final stages of recovery, Yiu pointed out the post-pandemic shift in travelers' spending habits.
He called for the implementation of innovative and digital solutions in the tourism sector and emphasized the need for the government to improve the business environment.
Regarding ticket sales for the upcoming National Games, Yiu, who is also the Chairman of China Travel Service (Hong Kong), stated that sales have exceeded expectations, with the U22 basketball finals already sold out.
Despite concerns about diminishing interest in the National Games among mainland audiences, Yiu remains hopeful that this year's mega sports event will succeed due to its fresh initiatives.
Night economy promotions
Commenting on the night economy in the city, Yiu mentioned that the restaurant industry struggles without night markets, describing it as a "chicken or the egg" situation.
While restaurants began closing by 9pm during the pandemic, he stated some eateries may consider extending their hours with the increased foot traffic driven by events.
He also cited the uptick in business at dining establishments in the Kai Tak Sports Park as an example of how events can drive consumer spending, highlighting the importance of boosting traveler spending across the city.
